Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening disorder that prevents people from obtaining sufficient restorative and deep sleep if undiagnosed. Persons with the disorder typically experience interrupted breathing during sleep and in fact, stop breathing continually.

Consequently, the brain and the rest of the body may not obtain sufficient oxygen. Unfortunately, many ignore their symptoms because they're unable to identify them or simply lack the time to participate in a sleep study.

This has driven home sleep study companies such as ours to develop home sleep study equipment, which provides an accurate diagnosis and reliable results.

It's important to note that the disorder also affects premature babies in which case they stop breathing for 15-20 seconds throughout sleep. Here's what you should know about sleep apnea in preterm infants.

Apnea of Prematurity

It's common for preterm infants to exhibit irregular breathing, unlike full-term babies. This is termed periodic breathing. This is evident when the time between breaths is longer than what you would normally expect.

If the intervals between the baby's breaths extend beyond 20 seconds, the baby is said to have apnea. Sometimes, a slowing of the heart rate or bradycardia accompanies these pauses.

We find that parents who aren't used to these events find them alarming. However, the condition resolves itself in most instances. Furthermore, you don't need to worry about more episodes once your baby's breathing center matures fully, typically about 40 weeks' gestational age.

Diagnosis

Other problems besides prematurity may cause apnea in babies and diagnosis can only occur following the elimination of other potential causes. Your baby may undergo any of these tests:

Blood tests

Your baby may require blood tests to provide information about how his or her body is functioning. The caregiver may take your blood off your child's finger, hand, or foot.

An echocardiogram

This kind of ultrasound uses sound waves to show the function and structure of your child's heart.

EEG

EEG or electroencephalogram is a test in which a caregiver places numerous small pads or flat buttons on your child's head. Every pad has a wire that's hooked to a machine, which records brain activity from varying areas of your child's brain.

Lumbar puncture

This procedure involves the placement of a small needle into your baby's lower back. The caregiver will then remove fluid from around the child's spinal cord and send it to the laboratory for tests. The test checks for infection or bleeding around the child's spinal cord and brain.

The procedure may also take place to eliminate pressure off the child's spinal cord and brain. You may need to hold your child in place to prevent movement throughout the procedure.

X-rays

Health care providers may take x-rays of different body parts, including your baby's abdomen or chest to look for signs of infection or other issues.

Treatment

The treatment of the condition depends on the severity. Most babies outgrow this condition and improve after some weeks. If the condition is mild, gentle stimulation, for instance, rubbing your baby's skin may apply.

On the other hand, if the condition is frequent or the baby's skin turns blue, medicine may be necessary. Remember, the condition may have an underlying cause, for instance, infection or low blood glucose level.

In this case, treatment should decrease the severity and frequency of the condition. Treatment also involves making it easier for the baby to breathe by maintaining a temperature level where the baby's oxygen consumption is lowest.

On the same note, we advise our clients to adopt strategies that maintain open airways. You can accomplish this by positioning your baby in a way that keeps the airways open to a maximum.

Complications

Preterm babies may exhibit numerous problems, so they frequently have to remain in the hospital for extended periods. Reduced levels of blood oxygen and a slow heart rate may arise with this condition. Such babies are also at risk for respiratory failure or even death. Furthermore, they may experience long-term lung issues.

Management

Most babies outgrow the condition as they mature. However, you may at times go home with a monitor. You should use it whenever you or your baby is sleeping and when you're busy. Avoid placing it near your child's head because the alarms are extremely loud.

VirtuOx is the leader in home sleep tests and pulse oximetry.