Clinical observations on response to nasal occlusion in infancy

Abstract

One hundred newborns and 59 infants at 6 weeks of age were observed during a nasal occlusion test. While in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep the proportion of slow and nonresponders was 17% in the newborn group, it was 44% in the 6-week-old group. The suggestion is made that apnoea occurs as a response to nasal obstruction. It appears to be characteristic of early postneonatal life, is more likely to occur during REM sleep, and may progress to sudden unexpected death. The tests described might have predictive value in assessing infants thought to be at enhanced risk of sudden unexpected death.