Apnea in the newborn.
Apnea, defined as cessation of breathing resulting in pathological changes in heart rate and oxygen saturation, is a common occurrence especially in preterm neonates. It is due to immaturity of the central nervous system (apnea of prematurity) or secondary to other causes such as metabolic disturbances etc. Secondary causes of apnea should be excluded before a diagnosis of apnea of prematurity is made. Methylxanthines and continuous positive airway pressure form the mainstay of treatment. Mechanical ventilation is reserved for apnea resistant to the above therapy. An approach to the management of apnea in neonates is described.
Mishra
Satish
S
Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
Agarwal
Ramesh
R
Jeevasankar
M
M
Aggarwal
Rajiv
R
Deorari
Ashok K
AK
Paul
Vinod K
VK
D001049:Apnea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants