Prenatal nicotine exposure alters the response of the mouse in vitro respiratory rhythm to hypoxia

► Prenatal nicotine exposure is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome. ► We hypothesized that nicotine exposure impairs respiratory rhythm generation. ► We evaluated the effects of nicotine exposure on a mouse in vitro respiratory rhythm. ► Nicotine exposure leads to early cessation of the respiratory rhythm during hypoxia.