Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) Placement in a Neonatal Patient Simulator Using a Non-Inflatable Supraglottic Airway (SGA)
04:56

Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) Placement in a Neonatal Patient Simulator Using a Non-Inflatable Supraglottic Airway (SGA)

Published on: July 14, 2023

Apnea in infants

Adrian Poblano1, Aida Marquez, Guadalupe Hernandez

  • 1Clinic of Sleep Disorders, School of Medicine, National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico. drdeaf@starmedia.com

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|January 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal apnea events affect nearly 25% of infants, with specific types linked to preterm birth, hyperbilirubinemia, and sepsis. Polysomnography identified many cases without prior clinical suspicion.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Apnea is a common concern in neonatal care units.
  • Understanding risk factors for different apnea types is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of risk factors associated with various apnea types in newborns.
  • To analyze polysomnographic (PSG) findings in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study conducted in NICU of a tertiary care institution in Mexico City.
  • 223 infants were evaluated using sleep PSG recordings between August 2002 and August 2003.
  • Infants presenting any apnea event during PSG were included for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 25% of NICU patients experienced apnea events.
  • Infants with apnea had lower birth age, weight, and cephalic perimeter but no increased neurological risk factors.
  • Central apnea was linked to preterm birth (<1,500g), obstructive apnea to hyperbilirubinemia and gastro-esophageal reflux, and mixed apnea to sepsis and hyperbilirubinemia.
  • PSG revealed 36% of infants with apnea lacked prior clinical suspicion.

Conclusions:

  • Central apnea events are more prevalent in preterm infants.
  • Obstructive apnea is associated with hyperbilirubinemia and gastro-esophageal reflux.
  • Mixed apnea events frequently occur in infants with hyperbilirubinemia and sepsis.
Abstract

More Related Videos

The Perinatal Asphyxiated Lamb Model: A Model for Newborn Resuscitation09:03

The Perinatal Asphyxiated Lamb Model: A Model for Newborn Resuscitation

Published on: August 15, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I01:26

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I

Assessing the respiratory rate and rhythm for a complete minute is crucial for evaluating the breathing pattern. Even a minor increase in the patient's average respiratory rate, by as little as three to five breaths per minute, is an early and vital indicator of respiratory distress. Patients with a respiratory rate exceeding twenty-four breaths per minute require close monitoring to determine the physiological alterations. This careful observation is essential for prompt recognition and...
Alterations in Respiration II01:30

Alterations in Respiration II

There are numerous types of normal and abnormal respiration. Based on ventilatory movements, breathing patterns are classified as regular, deep, or shallow. Examples include Biot's breathing, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, Kussmaul's breathing, hyperventilation, and hypoventilation. Each pattern is clinically significant and aids in evaluating patients.
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes include...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management01:22

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management

Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned under...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...