Health Topics for Respiratory Problems

Department of Respiratory Care

Lung Cancer Program

Interstitial Lung Disease -- Department of Internal Medicine

Allergies

Sleep apnea: infants

When normal breathing stops during sleep, it is called sleep apnea. If it happens to infants it can be fatal. Premature babies have a considerably higher risk of having sleep apnea and death than do other babies born at the normal time. The risk declines as the premature baby reaches the date they were supposed to have been born. Sleep apnea may result in sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.

Possible causes of sleep apnea include:

• immature breathing control in the brain
• bleeding in the brain during delivery
• exposure to drugs or poisons
• a blocked airway (such as by a relaxed tongue)
• a birth defect
• low blood sugar and
• gastroesophogeal reflux

If sleep apnea does occur, professional people who work in the hospital (such as nurses or nurses aides) often notice it soon after birth. It may require an extended hospital stay.

Measures to prevent sleep apnea in high-risk infants include:

• laying the baby flat on the back
• keeping the neck slightly extended
• using drugs similar to drugs used in the treatment of asthma and
• oxygen therapy

Do not smoke around your baby. Make sure there are no pillows, comforters, stuffed animals, or other plush materials in their crib. Do not make the room too warm.

Regular prenatal care is the best way to avoid having a high-risk baby. Prolonged apnea can cause serious long-term effects. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice or suspect apnea in your infant.

Parents of high-risk infants should learn infant CPR. For information about CPR training in your area, contact your local chapters of the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross or visit their websites at www.americanheart.org and www.redcross.org.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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