Ventilatory Responses to Hypercapnia during Wakefulness and Sleep in Obese Adolescents With and Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract

HCVR during wakefulness is increased in obese adolescents. Obese adolescents with OSAS have blunted ventilatory responses to CO(2) during sleep and do not have a compensatory prolongation of inspiratory time, despite having normal CO(2) responsivity during wakefulness. Central drive may play a greater role than upper airway neuromotor tone in adapting to hypercapnia.