ABSTRACT
The ability to rapidly adjust to changes in environmental, state, and/or metabolic
conditions while maintaining tightly controlled homeostasis is one of the major
adaptive mechanisms underlying survival. In mammalian species, sophisticated
systems have evolved to allow for preservation of homeostasis. However, these
systems may not be fully integrated or operational during the initial stages of
postnatal life, thereby leading to the emergence of vulnerable states under certain
circumstances. Examples of such situations include the onset of apnea and/or
bradycardia during sleep, which are common problems in the neonate and infant
and often result in the need for prolonged hospitalization and home cardiores-
piratory monitoring.
