CO2-induced changes in ventilation and ventilatory pattern in normal sleeping infants.

The effect of CO2 on the ventilatory pattern of 18 normal infants was studied during sleep at monthly intervals through the age of 4 mo. Using the barometric method, we measured tidal volume (VT), respiratory cycle time (Ttot), inspiratory time (TI), and expiratory time (TE). Two percent CO2 produced no change in TI and a significant increase in VT and mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI). There was no consistent change in TE or Ttot in either sleep state at any age. The percent increase from base line in instantaneous minute ventilation (VT/Ttot) during REM sleep was similar to that during quiet sleep. We conclude that with inhalation of 2% CO2 in the first 4 mo of life 1) the increase in VT/Ttot results solely from an increase in VT and the percent increase in VT/Ttot is the same in both sleep states and 2) the reflex termination of inspiration by inflation does not play an important role in eupnea during sleep because the increase in VT is not associated with a decrease in TI.