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Central Apnoea in Infants: Apnoea of Prematurity and Apnoea of Infancy

Maysaa Banjari1, Juliann M Di Fiore2, Maria Casalino3

  • 1Division of Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Sleep Medicine Clinics
|August 7, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Central apnea, a breathing cessation due to reduced respiratory drive, is discussed for preterm infants. The article covers pathophysiology, loop-gain treatment, diagnosis, and monitoring devices for central apnea in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Respiratory Physiology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology

Background:

  • Central apnea is characterized by a lack of respiratory effort originating from the central nervous system.
  • It is a common concern in preterm infants, impacting respiratory control.
  • Understanding its mechanisms is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the pathophysiology of central apnea in preterm infants.
  • To explore treatment strategies, including the loop-gain concept.
  • To discuss diagnostic criteria, assessment, and monitoring for infant central apnea.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on central apnea pathophysiology and treatment.
  • Discussion of diagnostic criteria and the role of polysomnography.
  • Analysis of monitoring devices, techniques, and algorithms for apnea detection.

Main Results:

  • Central apnea pathophysiology involves insufficient respiratory drive to respiratory muscles.
  • Loop-gain offers a framework for understanding and treating central apnea in preterm infants.
  • Polysomnography is essential for diagnosis and assessment.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of central apnea in infants requires understanding its pathophysiology and employing appropriate diagnostic tools.
  • Loop-gain provides a valuable perspective for therapeutic interventions.
  • Monitoring devices and algorithms aid in quantifying apnea frequency and guiding clinical decisions.

Keywords:
Apnea of infancyApnea of prematurityLoop-gain

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