Astrocytoma in an infant with prolonged apnea

A 4-week-old infant experienced prolonged central sleep apnea requiring resuscitation. At 6 months of age he developed episodic obstructive apnea (diagnosed as laryngospasm by direct laryngoscopy) with an abnormal EEG and a normal computed tomography (CT) scan, and at 14 months of age he developed hemiparesis due to a gemistocytic astrocytoma grade III-IV. Following removal of the mass, he has had occasional seizure activity, but no further episodes of obstructive apnea.