Abnormal ventilatory responses in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome

Abnormal ventilatory control in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome when aw ake and sleeping include abnormal responses to hyperoxia, hypoxia and hyper carbia. Lindgren et al., report similar results regarding response to hypox ia; however, they have demonstrated significant minute ventilation and carb on dioxide responses in their patients treated with growth hormone irrespec tive of body mass index. It is possible that the explanation for the abnorm al respiratory control in this syndrome is located in central rather than p eripheral structures. The hypothalamus stands out as the possible location that links their abnormal ventilatory control with the other features. Furt her investigations to correlate this finding are warranted.