Apnea Of Prematurity

Apnea Of Prematurity – General Information

• Respiratory diseases
• Bleeding
• Infections
• Damage of the brain tissue
• Heart problems
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Abnormal level of chemicals in the body
• Unstable temperature
• Extreme flexibility of the neck

Apnea Of Prematurity – Symptoms

• Short but numerous periods in which the baby does not breath
• The development of the disease during the first weeks of life.

• Long periods in which the baby does not breath at all
• Blue coloring
• The appearance of the disorder during the first days of life
• Major abnormalities of the normal heart rhythm

• Blood tests
• Physical examination
• Observation of the effort during breathing, the oxygenation of the heart and the heart rate

Apnea Of Prematurity – Treatment

In most of the cases, the premature babies who suffer from Apnea Of Prematurity will be treated in specialized medical units, under strict observation. In the case of the infants who develop Apnea Of Prematurity in their first weeks of life, the doctors should connect them to a ventilator in order to assure normal breathing; this is absolutely necessary as the young babies’ lungs are extremely immature and they can not breathe independently. This process consists of connecting the baby to a tube which will assure a normal blown of air into the patient’s lungs. The doctors must set the pressure according to the patient’s condition and the stadium of the disease; furthermore, they should keep the oxygen level and the heart rate at a normal level.

Another way to improve the condition of the babies who suffer from Apnea Of Prematurity is to administrate them certain drugs; these can help them breath on their own within a couple of days or, in the worst case, 2 or 3 weeks. If the ventilator is disconnected, then the baby must receive permanent assisted breathing, which is a procedure which consists of introducing a large tube into the infant’s nose. This tube is then connected to a mechanism which supplies the necessary quantity of air in the lungs. This machine only provides the oxygen needed, but the baby must breathe on its own. When babies are disconnected from any kind of mechanical equipment they must continue breathing, with or without the help of continuous positive airway pressure. In this stage they are carefully monitored with the help of a special device which produces specific sounds if anything wrong happens. If this happens, a specialized person will immediately check the baby’s condition and will take any necessary measures. These measures consist of connecting the baby to the ventilator; if there is no improvement within 16 seconds, the doctor should start rubbing the infant’s arms, legs or back in order to induce breathing. In most of the cases the baby should respond to these actions and start breathing normally. But there are also a few exceptions when the baby does not react to any measures; in such situations, the doctor should administer oxygen manually, using a bag and a mask. He should place the mask on the patient’s face and slowly pump a small quantity of air, until the baby recovers and begin to breathe normally.

If the number of such attacks increases, the specialist will administer the baby some drugs in order to induce response from the brain area responsible for breathing. In most of the cases, the baby will go home only after he is not suspect of Apnea Of Prematurity anymore. But if the parents insist on taking the baby home and if the doctor considers that this action does not affect the condition of the patient, a special device can be provided at home. This will be used in order to monitor the further development of the Apnea Of Prematurity and the baby’s medical condition and response to treatment. However, parents must follow the doctor’s instructions carefully.