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Frequency and severity of apnoea in lower respiratory tract infection in infancy
Insights
Infants with respiratory infections experience more and longer apneic episodes. Lower respiratory tract infections in infants are linked to prolonged apnea and bradycardia, with some episodes occurring without apnea.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatal Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Infants with respiratory infections are susceptible to cardiorespiratory events.
- Apnea and bradycardia are common concerns in infants with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of apneic episodes and bradycardia in infants with LRTI and URTI.
- To compare cardiorespiratory events between infants with LRTI, URTI, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- 24-hour recordings of heart rate and respiration were obtained.
- Data were collected from 60 infants with LRTI, 20 with URTI, and 21 control infants during the acute illness phase.
Main Results:
- Infants with LRTI and URTI exhibited more frequent and longer apneic episodes (>10 seconds) than controls.
- Apneic episodes were longest in the LRTI group, with frequency decreasing with age.
- Apnea was associated with bradycardia in both LRTI and URTI groups.
- The LRTI group also experienced significant bradycardia episodes without accompanying apnea.
Conclusions:
- LRTI and URTI significantly increase the risk of apneic episodes in infants.
- Bradycardia is a common complication, particularly in infants with LRTI, and can occur independently of apnea.
Abstract:
Twenty four hour recordings of heart rate and respiration were made on 60 infants with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) during the acute phase of the illness, on 20 infants with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and on 21 control infants. Infants with LRTI and URTI had more apnoeic episodes of longer than 10 seconds compared with controls. The length of apnoeic episodes was greatest in the LRTI group but their frequency decreased with age. In both the LRTI and URTI groups apnoea was associated with bradycardia but the LRTI group also suffered an appreciable number of episodes of bradycardia without apnoea.