Prematurity and sudden infant death syndrome. Are polysomnographic studies useful?

Systematic recording of cardiorespirographic events has been recommended by some authors in premature and/or very low birth weight infants before or shortly after hospital's discharge. Their objective is the recognition of babies at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and prevention by home monitoring. After an extensive review of the recent literature, prematurity itself does not appear as a risk factor of SIDS. Late apneas are common, but their prognostic significance remains uncertain. Although it is clear that bronchopulmonary dysplasia carries a greater risk of acute life threatening events and infantile death, their prevention mainly relies upon an adequate oxygen supplementation. As a consequence no more than the general infant population, premature infants require neither polysomnographic recording nor home monitoring. (C) 1999 Elsevier; Paris.