Immunisation has no effect on arousal from sleep in the newborn infant

Abstract

Objective: To investigate arousal from sleep in infants before and after triple antigen immunisation (DTP). Methodology: Arousal thresholds were determined in both active sleep (AS) and quiet sleep (QS) the day before and the day following the first DTP immunisation in 14 infants. Arousal was induced using a pulsatile puff of air delivered alternately to the nostrils of the infant. Results: Arousal threshold was significantly higher in QS compared to AS in both studies (P<0.001). Mean arousal threshold in the pre immunisation study was not different from that in the post immunisation study in either sleep state. Core temperature and heart rate measured at the time of stimulus delivery were both significantly elevated in the post immunisation study (P<0.001). Sleep duration and number of awakenings from sleep were unaffected by immunisation. Conclusion: The first triple antigen immunisation has no effect on arousal from sleep in either AS or QS in this group of infants.