Abstract
Controversy exists as to whether initial evaluation of the infant with apnea is predictive of future apneic episodes. To determine if thermistor-pneumocardiograms were predictive of future apnea, 53 children who presented with infantile apnea were studied and home monitored. Twenty-one (39.6%) had normal initial studies. Thirty-two (60.4%) children were selected on the basis of both initially abnormal thermistor study and at least one subsequent abnormal home pneumocardiogram. The two groups were matched for birthweight (2.76 ± .2 SEM kg vs. 2.75 ± .2 SEM kg) and GA (36.6 ± 1.1 SEM wks vs. 37.1 ± 0.7 SEM wks). Abnormalities seen on recording were: prolonged central apnea-13, excessive periodic breathing (>5%)-11, mixed apnea-4, obstructive apnea-3. All infants had home pneumocardiograms performed a 2-3 mo. intervals. In the group with normal initial studies, all subsequent pneumocardiograms were normal. The infants with abnormal initial studies had a mean of 1.7 ± .2 SEM abnormal follow-up studies (R 1-5). Of the infants with normal studies, 2/21 (9.5%) had further episodes of apnea detected by monitor at home; both were self-revived. In the babies with abnormal initial study and abnormal home pneumogram, 15/32 (46.9%) had further apnea (p< .005). Five infants (15.6%) required vigorous stimulation and three were hospitalized. Infants in the normal group were monitored until 24.8 ± 1.8 SEM wks of age compared to 33.7 ± 2.3 SEM wks (p< .005) in the group with abnormal studies. These results suggest that children with abnormal initial thermistor-pneumocardiograms who continue to show respiratory abnormalities on home pneumograms are highly likely to have significant clinical apnea. Home monitoring is warranted until all studies are normal.
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Spitzer, A., Juliano, P., Peeke, K. et al. THERMISTOR-PNEUMOCARDIOGRAMS: PREDICTIVE VALUE IN INFANT APNEA. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 349 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01537
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01537