Apnea, transient episodes of bradycardia, and periodic breathing in preterm infants
J. E. Hodgman, F. Gonzalez, T. Hoppenbrouwers and L. A. Cabal
University of Southern California School of Medicine.
The occurrence of central apnea of 15 seconds or longer, transient episodes
of bradycardia (TEB), and periodic breathing were studied in 66 healthy
premature infants when at least 1 week old and between 32 and 36 weeks
postconceptual age. Eight-hour cardiorespiratory recordings were visually
scanned for the presence of these patterns. Central apnea of 15 seconds or
longer was seen in almost half of the infants. The TEB were numerous, and
the majority were not associated with central apnea; however, all but five
of the apneic episodes that lasted 15 seconds or longer were accompanied by
a TEB. Infants spent as much as 40% of their time in periodic breathing.
The frequency with which these patterns are seen in healthy premature
infants strongly suggests that they are normal findings. Our results do not
support the opinion that brief periods of apnea are abnormal when
accompanied by a TEB.
