[Apneas and periodic breathing in mature newborn infants]

50 healthy term newborn infants without a history of sudden infant death syndrome among their relationship were investigated between the second and fourth day of life using a modified test of Brady and McCann. In a thermoneutral environment pneumograms (respiration by thoracic impendance, heart rate, tcpO2) were obtained with an FiO2 of 21, 16, and 30% oxygen. In 12 of the 50 sleeping infants (24%) apnea periods or periodic breathing were observed with an FiO2 of 16%. This test will bring up abnormalities in the regulation of breathing. Similarities to the SIDS are discussed.