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[Periodic breathing with periodic oxygen variation in infancy]
G von Czettritz1, R T Bax, T Eckardt
1Kinderklinik und Poliklinik, Technischen Universităt Mũnchen, Deutschland.
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Periodic breathing with oxygen desaturation is common in preterm and term infants. This may be linked to fetal circulation shunting, potentially explaining acute hypoxemia in sudden infant death.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Cardiorespiratory monitoring
- Sleep studies
Context:
- Oxycardiorespirographies were performed on 85 preterm and 81 term infants.
- Mean recording time was 22.3 hours.
- Infants had a mean postconceptional age of 38 weeks (preterm) and 42.4 weeks (term).
Purpose:
- To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of periodic breathing (PB) and periodic variations in arterial oxygen saturation (PVO) in preterm and term infants.
- To explore the relationship between PB, PVO, and potential underlying mechanisms.
- To assess the clinical implications for acute hypoxemia and sudden infant death.
Summary:
- 83% of preterm infants and 61% of term infants exhibited periodic breathing.
- Periodic variations in arterial oxygen saturation accompanied PB in 97% of preterm and 84% of term infants.
- A strong correlation was found between PVO and PB periodicity, with oxygen saturation falls occurring 3.1-7.8 seconds after apnea onset.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that periodic variations in oxygen saturation during periodic breathing may stem from intermittent right-to-left shunting through fetal circulation pathways.
- This mechanism could explain acute hypoxemia observed in apparently life-threatening events (ALTE) and sudden infant death (SID).
- Highlights the importance of monitoring oxygen saturation during periodic breathing in neonates.