Related Experiment Videos
[Paroxysmal cardiorespiratory attacks in infants]
J Van den Broeck1, H Devlieger, H Daniels
1Afd. Kindergeneeskunde, UZ-Gasthuisberg, Leuven, België.
Insights
Infants with paroxysmal cardiorespiratory events may show immature control, indicated by prolonged apnea or periodic breathing. These signs suggest an elevated risk for sudden infant death.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Cardiorespiratory Physiology
Context:
- Investigating cardiorespiratory control in full-term infants with a history of paroxysmal attacks.
- Assessing the prevalence of immature cardiorespiratory control markers.
Purpose:
- To identify indicators of immature cardiorespiratory control in infants experiencing cardiorespiratory events.
- To evaluate the association between immature cardiorespiratory control and the risk of sudden infant death.
Summary:
- A 48-hour polygraphic recording was performed on 46 full-term infants with a history of paroxysmal cardiorespiratory attacks.
- Thirty-seven percent exhibited immature cardiorespiratory control, defined by prolonged apneic episodes (≥15 seconds), bradycardia, or significant periodic breathing (>10% of recording time).
- These signs were significantly less frequent (8%) in normal control infants, suggesting their potential as risk indicators.
Impact:
- Identifies specific cardiorespiratory control abnormalities in at-risk infants.
- Suggests potential biomarkers for predicting sudden infant death risk.
- Informs clinical monitoring and early intervention strategies for infants with cardiorespiratory irregularities.
Abstract:
In a group of 46 fullterm infants, with a history of paroxysmal cardiorespiratory attacks, the anamnestic characteristics of the attacks were found to be heterogeneous. A 48 hours polygraphic recording was carried out in order to detect signs of immature cardiorespiratory control. Thirty seven percent of these infants were classified as having an immature cardiorespiratory control defined as abnormally long apneic episodes of 15 seconds or more, bradycardia or a high percentage (more than 10% of the time) of periodic breathing. In a group of normal control infants, those signs of immature cardiorespiratory control were significantly less frequently observed (8%). From this it is concluded that those symptoms might be considered as indicators of an increased risk for sudden infant death.