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Sleep apnoea profile in preterm infants recovering from respiratory distress syndrome
Insights
Infants recovering from respiratory distress syndrome showed fewer breathing pauses early on but more obstructive apnoea later. This suggests respiratory distress syndrome impacts sleep apnoea development and airway structure in preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is common in preterm infants.
- Sleep apnoea and periodic breathing are prevalent in neonates.
- The long-term effects of RDS on sleep-disordered breathing are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of respiratory distress syndrome on the development of sleep apnoea profiles in preterm infants.
- To compare sleep apnoea patterns between infants with and without a history of RDS.
Main Methods:
- Polygraphic recordings were performed on preterm infants.
- Infants were assessed at 40, 52, and 64 weeks' conceptual age.
- Included infants recovering from RDS and healthy preterm controls.
Main Results:
- Infants with RDS had a lower incidence of non-obstructive apnoea and periodic breathing at 40 weeks.
- A persistently higher incidence of obstructive and mixed apnoea was observed in infants with RDS at 52 and 64 weeks.
- The increased obstructive and mixed apnoea in RDS infants was linked to non-rapid eye movement sleep.
Conclusions:
- Early RDS may be associated with advanced respiratory drive maturation.
- Persistent obstructive and mixed apnoea in RDS infants may indicate lasting effects on airway structures.
- RDS can influence the developmental trajectory of sleep apnoea in preterm infants.
Abstract:
Polygraphic recordings were made on 10 preterm infants recovering from respiratory distress syndrome and 12 healthy preterm control infants at 40, 52, and 64 weeks' conceptual age to study the influence of respiratory distress syndrome on the development of the sleep apnoea profile. Two significant differences were found: infants with respiratory distress syndrome not only had a lower incidence of non-obstructive apnoea and periodic breathing at 40 weeks but also a persistently higher incidence of obstructive and mixed apnoea at 52 and 64 weeks' conceptual age; the latter finding being related to non-rapid eye movement sleep only. While the lower incidence of both types of apnoea at 40 weeks suggests an advanced maturation of respiratory drive, the persistence of obstructive and mixed apnoea related to non-rapid eye movement sleep may reflect the impact of respiratory distress syndrome on airway structures.