![]() These tests may be performed to diagnose or rule out sleep apnea. In many cases, newborns and infants are referred to specialists to diagnose and determine the underlying cause of sleep apnea.Ī range of tests may be considered depending on a baby’s symptoms. Doctors may ask about an infant’s symptoms, including breathing concerns, as well as family history and potential exposure to toxins in the home. Once an infant leaves the hospital, caregivers can speak with the baby’s pediatrician about concerns related to breathing and sleep apnea. Any breathing related concerns will be noted during this time, as will signs of congenital abnormalities that may increase the risk of breathing issues. This examination may take place in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), nursery, or parent’s hospital room. How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed in Babies?ĭoctors routinely monitor a newborn’s breathing rate and pattern within 24 hours after delivery. For these reasons, caregivers with concerns about a baby’s sleep or breathing patterns should talk with a pediatrician. Infants and newborns may have episodes of apnea that last less than 20 seconds and many symptoms of sleep apnea can also be seen in infants who do not have sleep apnea. Although infants with less severe sleep apnea may have few or no visible symptoms, caregivers may notice one or several signs of apnea: The primary symptom of sleep apnea in infants and newborns is a pause in breathing that lasts for at least 20 seconds during sleep which may be observed by a caregiver. Down syndrome and Arnold-Chiari malformation.Infections such as meningitis and pertussis.Factors that increase the risk of central sleep apnea include: Infants and newborns are also sensitive to issues that can affect the brain’s respiratory center and cause central apnea. In infants born prematurely, central apnea is often related to an underdeveloped brainstem. Secondhand smoke: Exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with obstructive sleep apnea in infants and children.Neuromuscular disorders: Certain disorders, such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, are known to increase the risk of OSA due to muscle weakness that causes the airway to collapse during sleep.Cleft palate: Babies born with a cleft palate may have a smaller airway and a heightened risk of OSA.Gastroesophageal reflux in babies with abnormalities of the larynx can further compound the risk of OSA. Gastroesophageal reflux: Reflux can increase the likelihood that a baby will develop OSA.Babies born with abnormalities in the upper airway, also called the larynx, may also be at an increased risk for OSA. Small airway: Newborns and infants born with abnormalities in the structure of their face or head are at a higher risk for sleep apnea.There are a range of factors that can increase a newborn or infant’s risk of a blockage of the airway characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Importantly, not all babies that have a risk factor or a combination of risk factors will develop sleep apnea. Apnea occurs in 50% of infants born between 33 to 35 weeks of gestation and is rare in full-term infants.Ĭertain risk factors can increase the likelihood that a baby will develop sleep apnea. Unlike OSA, infants with CSA do not attempt to inhale and there is no airway blockage.Īlmost all infants born at less than 28 weeks of pregnancy experience apnea. Central sleep apnea (CSA): CSA is the result of irregular signals from the brain that disrupt a baby’s breathing patterns during sleep.Babies with OSA try to inhale, but are unable due to an obstruction in their airway. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): OSA happens when an infant’s throat narrows or closes during sleep.There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. Shorter lapses in breathing may be diagnosed as sleep apnea if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as a reduction in heart rate or bluish coloring of the skin. To be diagnosed as sleep apnea, pauses in breathing must occur during sleep and last at least 20 seconds. Babies may experience episodes of apnea while awake and during sleep. Apnea is common in premature newborns, but can begin at any time during infancy. Apnea is a medical term used to describe brief lapses in breathing. ![]()
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