Pneumographic studies: predictors of future apnoeas but not sudden infant death in asymptomatic infants

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 23, 2026

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

P M Rahilly1

  • 1Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.

Australian Paediatric Journal
|August 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Pneumograms can predict future apnea in infants with high accuracy. However, this study found that abnormal pneumograms did not predict sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in infants studied.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains a significant concern in infant mortality.
  • Understanding predictors of cardiorespiratory events in infants is crucial for risk assessment.
  • Pneumography is a diagnostic tool used to monitor infant breathing patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the predictive value of pneumograms in asymptomatic infants at risk for SIDS.
  • To assess the correlation between pneumogram findings and the occurrence of future apneic events.
  • To determine if pneumograms can predict SIDS itself.

Main Methods:

  • Pneumograms were conducted on 401 asymptomatic infants, including siblings/relatives of SIDS victims and infants of anxious parents.
  • A subset of 222 infants underwent home monitoring to assess pneumogram predictive capabilities.
  • Analysis focused on identifying abnormalities, periodic breathing, and apnea density in relation to outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Pneumograms demonstrated high sensitivity (97.5%) and moderate specificity (72%) in predicting future apnea.
  • Infants experiencing future apneas showed significantly higher percentages of periodic breathing and apnea density.
  • Critically, all eight infants who died of SIDS had normal pneumograms, indicating no predictive value for SIDS.

Conclusions:

  • Pneumograms are effective in predicting future apneic events in infants.
  • However, pneumograms are not reliable predictors of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
  • Further research is needed to identify reliable SIDS predictors.

More Related Videos

Method to Obtain Pattern of Breathing in Senescent Mice through Unrestrained Barometric Plethysmography09:13

Method to Obtain Pattern of Breathing in Senescent Mice through Unrestrained Barometric Plethysmography

Published on: April 28, 2020

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

Related Concept Videos

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...
Assessment of Respiration01:23

Assessment of Respiration

The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies01:27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History
Pulmonary Function Tests01:25

Pulmonary Function Tests

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...