Between January 1990 & June 1995, 1141 preterm infants (24-36 weeks gestation) on home monitors were followed in our Neonatology High-Risk Clinic. Infants had been referred because of 1) persistence of clinical apneas (A) and bradycardias (B) prior to discharge, 2) need for home oxygen, Caffeine or Aminophylline therapy, or 3) positive pre-discharge screen for A/B by event monitor or overnight multichannel oxipneumocardiogram.

Infants were seen biweekly or monthly by the Neonatologist until monitors were discontinued (mean 9.1 weeks), at 6 months and at 1 year of age. In addition, frequent telephone contact with parents and 24-hour beeper availability was maintained by the Clinic Staff.

Four infants expired at home or in the Emergency Room with the following diagnoses: 1) Hyperkalemia with severe dehydration, 2) ventricular arrythmia 2° aminophylline toxicity, 3) severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, failure to thrive and acute aspiration - two infants.

No infant died of SIDS in this cohort. Appropriate identification of highest risk infants with close follow-up and home monitoring may contribute to the decrease of SIDS (4-15 per 1000) in preterm infants.