Neonatal apnoea Flashcards
What is Apnoea?
Periods where breathing stops spontaneously for more than 20 seconds,
Or
shorter periods with oxygen desaturation or bradycardia.
What are periods of apnoea often accompanied by?
Bradycardia
Who is apnoea more common in?
Premature neonates
What can apnoea indicate in term babies?
Underlying pathology.
What is apnoea due to?
Immaturity of the autonomic nervous system that controls respiration and heart rate
What can apnoea be a sign of?
Developing illness
What developing illness can apnoea be a sign of?
- Infection
- Anaemia
- Airway obstruction (may be positional)
- CNS pathology, such as seizures or haemorrhage
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome
What is attached to premature babies in the neonatal ward?
Apnoea monitors to premature babies.
These make a sound when an apnoea is occurring.
What is used to prompt the baby to start breathing again?
Tactile stimulation is used to prompt the baby to restart breathing.
What is given to babies with recurrent episodes of apnoea?
Intravenous caffeine
What does intravenous caffeine prevent?
Apnoea and bradycardia in babies with recurrent episodes.
What will happen as the baby grows?
Episodes will stop
