Shannon D C
Sleep. 1980;3(3-4):343-9. doi: 10.1093/sleep/3.3-4.343.
Complete absence of chemoreception in the medulla is characterized by sustained hypoventilation. Except for the first months of life, this deficit does not, of itself, cause apnea. Both in infants who lack central chemical drive, as well as those who are only partly deficient, it is necessary to invoke at least one further pathophysiologic event. Various alterations in gas exchange, especially during sleep, which promote hypoxemia can contribute to a positive feedback effect on ventilation. If gas exchange is further impeded by upper-airway obstruction, only a massive arousal response separates the infant from death.
延髓化学感受完全缺失的特征是持续性通气不足。除生命的最初几个月外，这种缺陷本身不会导致呼吸暂停。对于缺乏中枢化学驱动的婴儿以及仅有部分缺陷的婴儿，都至少需要引发另一种病理生理事件。气体交换的各种改变，尤其是在睡眠期间促进低氧血症的改变，可对通气产生正反馈作用。如果上呼吸道阻塞进一步阻碍气体交换，只有强烈的觉醒反应才能使婴儿免于死亡。
