Images: Caffeine therapy for central sleep apnea, hypoxemia, and hypoventilation in a term neonate

Amit S Shah1, Roberta M Leu1, Samar P Shah1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.

Insights

Caffeine therapy effectively treated central sleep apnea, hypoxemia, and hypoventilation in a term neonate. This case suggests caffeine may be a viable treatment for term infants with primary central sleep apnea of infancy.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Evaluating term infants with central sleep apnea presents diagnostic challenges due to various potential causes.
  • Brief resolved unexplained events and oxygen desaturations during sleep are concerning symptoms in neonates.

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