THE FEBRILE STRESS OF ROUTINE VACCINATION DOES NOT INCREASE CENTRAL APNEA IN NORMAL INFANTS

We tested the hypothesis that the febrile stress of routine vaccinatio n would increase central apnoea in normal infants. Twenty-one normal i nfants had continuous overnight breathing and temperature recorded at home, before and after 58 routine vaccination episodes. Central apnoea , of at least 5 sec duration, was detected by computer algorithm and c onfirmed by human inspection. The longest recorded apnoea was 16 sec ( n = 1) during 3629 h of sleep. Overnight rectal temperature increased after vaccination (median 0.52 degrees C, 95% CI0.40, 0.65). Apnoea de nsity reduced on 46/53 vaccination nights (median -29%, 95% CI -20, -3 7) followed by an increase on subsequent nights (median +10%, 95% CI 1%,+21%). Overall, apnoea density was similar during the 3 nights prec eding and 4 nights following vaccination (median +1%, 95% CI +9,-6). T he febrile stress of routine vaccination did not increase central apno ea in normal infants.