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Outcome of preterm infants who suffered neonatal apnoeic attacks
G A Levitt1, A Mushin, S Bellman
1Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital, London, U.K.
Insights
Neonatal apnea, a common issue in premature infants, may not lead to poor developmental outcomes if the infant has no other serious health problems. This study followed infants born before 31 weeks post-menstrual age to assess long-term effects.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Neonatal apnea is a frequent concern in preterm infants, particularly those born at less than 31 weeks post-menstrual age.
- Previous studies have suggested a poor prognosis associated with neonatal apnea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term developmental outcomes of infants born prematurely who experienced neonatal apnea.
- To determine if neonatal apnea, in the absence of other significant neonatal issues, impacts developmental quotients, sensorineural hearing, or retinopathy.
Main Methods:
- Thirty infants born before 31 weeks post-menstrual age were monitored for apnea using pneumocardiograms.
- Follow-up assessments between 16 and 36 months included physical, ophthalmological, audiometry, and developmental evaluations (Griffiths scales).
Main Results:
- Twenty-five infants experienced apneic attacks.
- Only two infants with a history of apnea showed an abnormal developmental quotient.
- No cases of sensorineural deafness or retinopathy of prematurity were detected in infants with apnea.
Conclusions:
- The generally poor prognosis linked to neonatal apnea may not be applicable to preterm infants who do not have other serious neonatal complications.
- Early apnea episodes in preterm infants, without concurrent health problems, may not predict adverse long-term neurodevelopmental or sensory outcomes.
Abstract:
Thirty infants of less than 31 weeks post-menstrual age were monitored for apnoea using routine medical equipment and intermittent 24-h pneumocardiograms. These infants were examined again between 16 and 36 months of age. Full physical and ophthalmological examinations were carried out as well as audiometry and assessment using the Griffiths mental developmental scales. Twenty-five of these infants had suffered apnoeic attacks and two of these infants had an abnormal developmental quotient. Neither sensorineural deafness of retinopathy of prematurity were detected in the children who suffered apnoeic episodes. The poor prognosis which has been associated with neonatal apnoea may not apply to those infants without other serious neonatal problem.