Document Details Document Type : Article In Journal  Document Title : Prolonged apnea in the preterm infant is not a random event Prolonged apnea in the preterm infant is not a random event   Subject : Neonatology  Document Language : English  Abstract : We tested the hypothesis that in preterm infants, prolonged apneas (apneas > or = 20 sec) are not random events but are preceded by frequent and progressively longer respiratory pauses associated with changes in ventilatory variables. We studied 36 preterm infants with apnea [birth weight 1190 +/- 60 g (mean +/- SEM), study weight 1300 +/- 60 g, gestational age 28 +/- 1 weeks, and postnatal age 23 +/- 2 days]. A nosepiece with a flow-through system was used to measure ventilation and alveolar gases. Throughout the monitoring period for each infant we established 10-min moving "window of observation" followed by a 1-min interval examined for the detection of a prolonged apnea. Within the 10-min window, three variables were defined: the number of apneic episodes, the maximum length of a single apneic episode, and the total duration of apneic time. During the following minute (eleventh) the presence or absence of a prolonged apnea was determined. Chi-square test for a linear-trend in the rate of prolonged apnea and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the relative risk of a prolonged apnea increases significantly from preceding periods without apnea to preceding periods containing the potential predictors of prolonged apnea. The strongest predictor was total duration of apneic time in the previous 10 min. When the 1 min before prolonged apnea was compared with the 1 min of similar sleep state not having prolonged apnea, minute ventilation decreased, primarily due to a decrease in respiratory frequency. Oxygen saturation decreased and alveolar PCO2 did not change. These findings suggest that prolonged apnea is not a random event but is preceded by a disturbance of the respiratory control system characterized by (1) frequent apneas of progressive duration, (2) decrease in respiratory minute volume and frequency, and (3) decreased O2 saturation  ISSN : 0735-1631  Journal Name : American Journal of Perinatology  Volume : 14  Issue Number : 4  Publishing Year : 1417 AH 1997 AD  Article Type : Article  Added Date : Monday, August 31, 2009  Researchers Researcher Name (Arabic) Researcher Name (English) Researcher Type Dr Grade Email سعد الصاعدي Al-Saedi, Saad Researcher Doctorate   Files File Name Type Description  29348.zip zip   Back To Researches Page