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How is apnea of prematurity in premature infants treated?
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Infants with serious apnea may need medications to stimulate breathing or oxygen through a tube inserted in the nose. Some infants may be placed on a ventilator.
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What are some of the common medical conditions that occur in premature infants?
The medical conditions that may occur are respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enerocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, apnea of prematurity, patent ductus arteriosus, retinopathy of prematurity.
What are some of the health risks that occur in premature infants?
Common health risks in premature infants are jaundice, apnea, inability to breast or bottle feed, under-developed lungs, digestive system and nervous system.
When does apnea of prematurity most commonly occur?
Apnea occurs most commonly when the infant is asleep.
What is the medical condition apnea of prematurity in babies born too soon?
Apnea of prematurity occurs when the infant stops breathing for periods lasting up to 20 seconds. It is often associated with a slowing of the heart rate, skin color may change to a hue of blue.
Symptoms of Intraventricular hemorrhage?
Intraventricular hemorrhage is most notably a complication of prematurity in infants, but can occur in adults. The symptoms of intraventricular hemorrhage include apnea and a low heart rate, seizures, a high pitched cry, pale or blue coloring to the skin, and anemia.
Are SIDS and apnea related?
SIDS is not the same as apnea. Many people have apnea and apnea has killed infants. Infants with apnea can be resuscitated. An apnea monitor (AKA cot monitor) can detect when a SIDS victim stops breathing � but remember, a SIDS victim is already dead when that happens. Note: Infants with apnea usually are placed on apnea monitors for apnea, not to prevent the unpreventable. And many SIDS parents do use apnea monitors on subsequent children � this has mainly a placebo effect on the parents. No, they are not. You can revive a baby that has apnea if it is not too late. A SIDS baby you can't revive. SIDS is undetectable and you never know when it will hit. With apnea a baby can stop breathing and start again. SIDS is totally different.
Why is sleep apnea unrecognized?
You can be tested for sleep apnea. Therefore, it can be recognized and even treated.
What are 4 causes of bradycardia in the neonate?
collagen vascular disease in mother sinus bradycardia structural heart disease apnoea of prematurity
What conditions render newborns susceptible to necrotizing enterocolitis?
respiratory distress syndrome, congenital heart problems, and episodes of apnea (cessation of breathing). The primary risk factor, however, is prematurity.
What are the common causes of apnea in children?
prematurity, bronchial disturbances or pneumonia, airway blockage or choking on a foreign object, holding the breath, seizures, meningitis, regurgitating food, or asthma attacks
How much supplemental oxygen is needed with sleep apnea?
Normally none. Apnea is treated with a CPAP machine, which simply pressurizes normal room air.
Apnea of prematurity?
Alternative NamesApnea - newborns; AOP; As and Bs; Blue spell - newborns; Dusky spell - newborns; Spell - newbornsDefinitionApnea is breathing that slows down or stops from any cause. Apnea of prematurity refers to short episodes of stopped breathing in babies who were born before they were due.Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThere are several reasons why newborns, especially premature babies, may have apnea, including:Their brain is not fully developedThe muscles that keep the airway open are weakOther stresses in a sick or premature baby may worsen apnea, including:AnemiaFeeding problemsHeart or lung problemsInfectionLow oxygen levelsOverstimulationTemperature problemsSymptomsNewborns, especially preemies, often have an irregular breathing pattern.These babies will have short episodes (5 - 10 seconds) of either shallow breathing or stopped breathing (apnea). These episodes are followed by periods of normal breathing.When there is very shallow or no breathing (apnea), the baby may also have a drop in heart rate. This heart rate drop is called bradycardia.Some babies may also have poor color and an ill-looking appearance. Apnea episodes that last longer than 20 seconds are considered serious.Signs and testsBecause most preterm and some sick full-term babies have some degree of apnea, these babies are hooked up to monitors in the hospital to watch their breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels. Apnea or a drop in heart rate can set off the alarms on these monitors.TreatmentHow apnea is treated depends on the cause, how often the breathing stops, and the severity of spells. Babies who appear to be otherwise healthy and have few spells per day are simply watched. They can be gently stimulated during their occasional episodes.Babies who are well, but who have many episodes in which they stop breathing may be given a caffeine preparation to help stimulate their breathing. Sometimes the nurse will suction children with apnea, change their position, or use a bag and mask to help them breathe.Proper positioning, slower feeding time, oxygen, and (in extreme cases) a breathing machine may be needed to assist in breathing.Studies have not been able to show a benefit to putting babies on home monitors, so these monitors are no longer commonly used.Expectations (prognosis)Apnea is common in premature babies. Most babies have normal outcomes. Although mild apnea is not thought to have long-term effects, most doctors feel that preventing multiple or severe episodes is better for the baby over the long-term.Apnea episodes that began after the second week of life or that last longer than 20 seconds are considered more serious.Apnea of prematurity usually goes away by the baby's 36th week.ReferencesOwens JA. Sleep medicine. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 18.
