Apnea of the Newborn

Full-term infants with an underlying pathology (i.e., neurologic disorders, metabolic derangements)

Premature infants, with or without an underlying pathology

Infants less than 60 wk post conceptual age

Underweight infants <1000 g

Anemia

More prone to apnea during local or neuraxial anesthesia or when additionally administered IV sedative

More prone to apnea after general anesthesia

Unexpected apnea in recovery room

Unexpected apnea in hours after outpatient procedures

Unexpected apnea on ward hours after inpatient procedures

Apnea is defined as pauses that last >20 sec without physiologic derangement or that last >10 sec with physiologic derangement (i.e., bradycardia, oxygen desaturation).

Apnea in term infants is never physiologic.

Apnea in preterm infants may signal CNS disorder or developmental immaturity.

Sudden onset of apnea in any infant may also reflect a new-onset sepsis or hypoglycemia.

Utility of pneumogram screening controversial.

Indications for home apnea monitoring controversial.