The deep breath vasoconstriction reflex--a new tool for autonomic assessment in infancy?

We describe the presence of the deep breath vasoconstriction reflex in the neonatal and postneonatal period in a group of 24 infants, of whom 11 were term and 13 were preterm. Our results suggest that the development of this reflex correlates to postnatal rather than postconceptional age. The reflex is suggested for future use in autonomic assessment of babies to define normal and abnormal development and in the assessment of infants thought to be at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).