Unite' de rech erches b io logiq u es n do-na tales (INSERM)Maternite ' Port-Royal, C The ontogenesis of sleep was studied in prematures from 32 t o 41 weeks of gestational age The characteristics of the EEG, the patterns and rate of respiration, the cardiac rate, body motility comprised of localized and diffuse movements, localized and diffuse jerks, clonic movements and electromyographic activity of the chin, as well as periods of total quietness were observed and correlated with the progressive organization of behavior in these infants. The data obtained at each gestational age, i.e., at 32-34 weeks, 35-37 weeks, and 38-41 weeks, were compared to those obtained in full-term newborns. The relationships between the different events and the features of the EEG and of the respiratory patterns were ascertained and compared to similar data obtained in the full-term newborn. This comparison shows that the premature at 40 weeks of gestational age has not attained a level of organization as high as that of the full-term newborn. An hypothesis suggesting a possible mechanism of this discrepancy is presented.premature infant ontogenesis sleep cycle polygraphic study
DREYFUS-BRISAC, C . (1968). Sleep Ontogenesis in Early HuntanPrentaturity from 2 f to 27 Weeks of Comeptual Age. DEWLOPMENTAL PSYCHOSIOLOCY, l(3): 162-169. The spontaneous behavior of 5 previable human prematiiies born between 24 and 27 weeks of gestational age and weighing between 600 and 900 g was studied, between the 3rd and 30th hr of life. Death occurred between the 281h and 120th hr. Body motility, eye movements, respiratory and cardiac rhythnis, chin inyogram, electroencephalogram (EEG), and crying were evaluated by careful observation and by polygraphic recordings for periods of from 1 to 2 hr. A very rich and continuous motility is described corisisting of rapid jerks, cither diffuse or localized, and of slow movements. Rhythmic niovements of the chin or perihuccal area occur in bursts and are particularly striking. T h e paucity of rapid eye movements (REM) is also remarkable. T h c EEG is composed of silent periods interrupted by discontinuous polymorphic activity. The fixation of the cardiac rate, the absence of periodic respiration and of apneic periods are the most important vegetative phenomena. Crying occurs in short periods rarely lasting niore than 20 sec. T h e state of thcse previable preiiiatures cannot be considered as waking; it seems to be a vcry immature state of sleep that differs from both the quiet and the active slcep of full-term newborns. This atypical sleep, which appears to be present in other spccies characterized by a great degree of immaturity at birth, does not give any evidence of c > clic organization.
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