Apnea of Prematurity: An Update

Alex Gileles-Hillel; Ira Erlichman; Joel Reiter

doi:10.1055/s-0039-1678669

Journal of Child Science, Table of Contents

CC BY 4.0 · Journal of Child Science 2019; 09(01): e50-e58
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1678669

Review Article

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Apnea of Prematurity: An Update

Authors

Alex Gileles-Hillel

¹Pediatric Pulmonology, Sleep and CF Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center & Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
Ira Erlichman

²Neonatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center & Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
Joel Reiter

¹Pediatric Pulmonology, Sleep and CF Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center & Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel

Abstract

Apnea of prematurity (AOP) affects the majority of infants born prematurely, before 34 weeks of gestational age. AOP is a common diagnosis in the neonatal intensive care unit and one of significant clinical importance, both immediate and long term, as it is associated with reduced survival and poorer respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes. In this review, we provide an up-to-date summary of recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of AOP, as well as the clinical questions relevant to physicians and staff treating infants with AOP. Finally, we discuss monitoring and discharge decisions, as these are areas of significant uncertainty.

Keywords

apnea - hypoxia - prematurity - caffeine

Full Text

References

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