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Biomarkers and Risk Factors Associated with Apnea in Hospitalized Infants with Acute Respiratory Infection

Julia Dvorkin1,2, Maria Pico1, Josefina L Razzini3

  • 1Centro Infant de Medicina Traslacional (CIMeT), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), General San Martín 1650, Argentina.

Viruses
|July 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Apnea in infants hospitalized with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) is linked to biological immaturity and environmental factors like crowding. Preterm birth and younger age were key predictors, while RSV infection showed a protective association.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Apnea is a serious complication of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in infants.
  • The factors influencing apnea in this vulnerable population are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify epidemiological, clinical, virological, and immunological determinants of apnea in infants hospitalized with SARI.
  • To understand the underlying causes of apnea in early infancy.

Main Methods:

  • Population-based, cross-sectional, multicenter study in Buenos Aires, Argentina (2011-2013).
  • Included 2376 infants younger than five months hospitalized with SARI.
  • Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analysis was used.

Main Results:

  • Independent predictors of apnea included preterm birth, cesarean section, prior NICU admission, age under two months, and severe household crowding.
  • RSV infection was inversely associated with apnea.
  • Lower IL-5 levels in respiratory secretions were observed in infants with apnea.

Conclusions:

  • Apnea during SARI in early infancy is significantly associated with biological immaturity and adverse environmental conditions.
  • Findings suggest a distinct immune response in infants experiencing apnea.
  • These insights can inform preventative strategies and clinical management.

Keywords:
acute respiratory infectionapneabiomarkersinfantsprematurityrespiratory syncytial virus

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