Apnea Of Prematurity Newborn Baby | Health Information Encyclopedia


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APNEA OF PREMATURITY NEWBORN BABY
Category: Child Health
Abstract : Apnea occurs when a person has stopped breathing. Apnea of prematurity occurs when a premature baby stops breathing for 20 seconds or more or stops breathing for less than 20 seconds but also has one or both of the following characteristics: color turns blue or pale (this is usually because the level of oxygen in the blood has fallen); heart rate slows to less than 80 beats per minute (brachycardi

Apnea occurs when a person has stopped breathing. Apnea of prematurity occurs when a premature baby stops breathing for 20 seconds or more or stops breathing for less than 20 seconds but also has one or both of the following characteristics: color turns blue or pale (this is usually because the level of oxygen in the blood has fallen); heart rate slows to less than 80 beats per minute (brachycardia).

The more premature a baby is, the more likely he/she will have apnea of prematurity. For example, about 25% of babies with a birth weight of less than 2,500 grams (5 lb 8 oz) have apnea of prematurity. However, over 80% of babies weighing less than 1,000 grams (2lb 3oz) will have this problem.

Why does it happen? What does it mean? (apnea of prematurity newborn baby)
The control of breathing is complicated. In order for normal, regular breathing to occur, the brain, muscles of breathing, and the airway (windpipe) must all work together. Premature babies may have an immaturity and/or weakness of one or more of the parts of the body involved with breathing. In other words, many premature infants are born before the ability to breathe regularly and consistently is fully developed. Apnea of prematurity may be caused by the baby stopping or "forgetting" to breathe "central" apnea. It may be due to the temporary collapse of the airway (windpipe) "obstructive" apnea. Apnea of prematurity may also happen from a combination of "forgetting" to breathe and airway collapse "mixed" apnea.

Apnea may also occur for many other reasons. A few other causes of apnea include:

Infection
Pneumonia or other breathing problems
Neurologic problems
Gastro-esophageal reflux (liquids and/or solids from the stomach going back up into the esophagus or food pipe)
Low body temperature
Low blood sugar.

If a premature infant has episodes of apnea, tests such as blood work and x-rays may need to be obtained. This is done in order to determine whether the apnea is due to prematurity or another medical condition.

Is apnea of prematurity dangerous for the baby? (apnea of prematurity newborn baby)
Usually not. For the vast majority of premature infants, apnea of prematurity is not dangerous. If the baby stops breathing in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) while on a cardiac monitor, the alarm quickly alerts the baby's nurses and doctors while this is occurring. If his/her heart rate is below 80 beats per minute and/ or his/her color has changed from pink to blue, frequently the baby will start breathing and the heart rate will return to normal after being given a gentle nudge on the back by one of the NICU staff.

How is apnea of prematurity treated? (apnea of prematurity newborn baby)
The decision to treat a baby with apnea of prematurity is based on a few different factors, including: how often it occurs, the type of apnea (central, obstructive or mixed), whether the baby resumes breathing on his/her own, other medical problems, and the baby's size.

The two main treatments for apnea of prematurity are to place the baby on the CPAP (constant positive airway pressure) breathing device and the medications, caffeine and aminophylline. Once treated, the apnea of prematurity usually occurs less often. In some cases, apnea of prematurity does not recur after the baby is started on one or more therapies. How long a baby is treated depends on the infant??s size and whether the apnea of prematurity is still occurring.

Will the premature infant continue to have apnea of prematurity at home? (apnea of prematurity newborn baby)
In almost all premature infants with apnea of prematurity, the condition will have disappeared around the time of his/her original due date by the time he/she would have been a full-term newborn. This occurs because the baby's ability to breathe is now fully developed. However, about 1 in 20 premature infants with this problem either need to continue being monitored in the hospital (until the apnea of prematurity has disappeared) or are sent home on a medication (usually caffeine) and/or a cardiorespiratory (heart and breathing rate) monitor

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