Apnea of Prematurity

<h3><strong>Apnea of Prematurity</strong> is most widely defined as cessation of breathing for more than 20 seconds or a shorter respiratory pause associated with oxygen desaturation and/or bradycardia in infants who are younger than 37 weeks gestation. Apnea is classified as central, obstructive, or mixed depending upon the presence of continued inspiratory effort and upper airway. In preterm infants, most apnea spells are classified as either being central or mixed.</h3>

<h3> Apnea of prematurity typically presents within the first few days of life in affected preterm infants who are not mechanically ventilated. It typically resolves before 37 postmenstrual weeks in infants delivered after 28 weeks gestation, but in infants born before 28 weeks, apnea frequently persists until 43 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA).</h3>