Central Sleep Apnea in Infants

CA and periodic breathing are common in infants, and are much more common in preterm than in term infants. The irregular breathing is seen in both active and quiet sleep. Irregular breathing tends to improve with increasing GA, and is presumed to be due to maturity of the respiratory control centers and chest-wall mechanics. Inlaboratory polysomnography is the study of choice for the evaluation of CA in infants. Most therapies directed at the treatment of CA are aimed at stabilizing the breathing pattern and preventing oxygen desaturation. Most of these therapies are temporary, and are used for a brief period in preterm and term infants until the breathing matures. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.