Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were studied in a child with congenital central
alveolar hypoventilation showing marked depression of respiratory drive during sleep.
During wakefulness and normoventilation no ABR abnormalities were found, either at
the age of 14 months or five years. ABR recordings during sleep at 14 months of age
showed marked wave V latency and wave I to wave V interpeak latency prolongation of
about 0.4 ms both for periods of hypoventilation and normoxic hypercapnia. ABR findings
of this and other studies carried out in sleep apneas are discussed with respect to
brainstem dysfunction associated with varied sleep apnea syndromes.
Central alveolar hypoventilation - Sleep apnea syndrome - Auditory brainstem response