[Distribution of respiratory arrests in preterm and term infants (author's transl)].

Incidence, distribution and periodicity of respiratory arrests larger than or equal to 2 seconds duration were studied in relation to age and sleep states by means of polygraphic recording in 61 tracing of 44 preterm and term infants free of pathologic conditions known to increase the risk of respiratory arrests. Respiratory arrests at any infant's age were found to be more frequent during active sleep. Incidence of respiratory arrests decreases with age in all sleep states. At any age the average duration of respiratory arrest is longer in quiet sleep. When restrictive definition is applied periodic breathing was found to be a rare and probably an abnormal phenomenon not in connection with any particular sleep state. Apneas of longer than 10 seconds duration were observed rather seldon, as well as cardiac slowing coinciding with respiratory arrest or apnea. Bradypnea and poor differenciation of breathing pattern according to sleep states represent a rare and presumably abnormal finding. The authors feel that the elements observed should be considered in estimating the risk of severe apnea in infants.