The larynx and neonatal apneas.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to review the current literature on the role of the larynx in neonatal apneas.

STUDY

DESIGN

We conducted a literature search and analysis of the published and other available information on the topic.

RESULTS

Publications on this topic in otolaryngology journals are rare, although more basic sciences-oriented journals have published interesting results from animal studies during the past 20 years. The scarce data on human neonates are also presented.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors follow the phylogenetic and oncogenetic pathways to explain the active role of the larynx in neonatal apneas. Although most of these results are derived from animal studies, they certainly improve our understanding of human neonatal apneas.