The effect of maternal smoking on respiratory and arousal patterns in preterm infants during sleep.

Prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The effect of maternal smoking on apnea and arousal patterns in preterm infants is currently unknown. Multichannel polysomnographic studies were performed in preterm infants. Thirty infants were enrolled into the study: 16 exposed prenatally to cigarette smoke (S) and 14 control infants (C). There was no difference in the gestational and postconceptional ages at the time of study. Maternal smoking was associated with a significant increase in the apneic index in these infants (28.6 +/- 6.4/hour [S] vs. 13.2 +/- 3.9 [C]; p<0.05), and the difference was noted for obstructive events and only during active sleep. The arousal index was significantly decreased in the maternal smoking group (34.5 +/- 2.3/hour [S] vs. 46.3 +/- 5.6/hour [C]; p<0.05), with a specific decrease in percentage of arousal after respiratory events (10.7 +/- 2.1% [S] vs. 29.4 +/- 5.4% [C]; p<0.05). In conclusion, preterm infants exposed prenatally to cigarette smoke have increased respiratory events during active sleep, predominantly due to obstructive apnea, and possibly a higher arousal threshold during apneic events. These alterations in respiratory and arousal patterns in preterm infants born to smoking mothers may lead to significant vulnerability in this population.