Respiratory and cardiac events observed and recorded during and following a "near miss" for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome episode.

Documented observations of a 5-week-old infant during a "near miss" for a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) episode by a physician were carried out during an in-hospital physiological recording of respiratory and cardiac activity. This "near miss" event occurred during quiet sleep and was characterized by a prolonged apneic attack with marked bradycardia, cyanosis and limpness which required immediate vigorous resuscitative efforts by a physician and trained nurse. Parental descriptions of similar events parallel these documented sudden unexpected changes in cardiorespiratory parameters. Objective polygraphic data were obtained immediately following the episode and at later ages during 24 and 48 hour continuous recordings of respiration, heart rate, sleep/wake and behavioral activity. The data show that numerous apneic episodes occurred following the "near miss" event, many accompanied by marked bradycardia. The moderately severe hypoxemia noted during these sleep-related apneas indicate that immediate intervention is required to prevent significant hypoxia and central depression in such infants.