Developmental consequences of short apneas and periodic breathing in preterm infants

Abstract

Abstract Objective We investigated the relationship between respiratory events experienced before and after hospital discharge and developmental outcomes at 6 months corrected age (CA). Study design Preterm infants born between 28–32 weeks gestational age (GA) were studied at 32–36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), 36–40 weeks PMA, 3- and 6-months CA. Percentage total sleep time (%TST) with respiratory events (isolated apneas, sequential apneas and periodic breathing (PB)) at each study was calculated. Stepwise multiple linear regressions determined significant predictors of developmental outcomes at 6 months. Result %TST with respiratory events at term were significant predictors of language (R2 = 0.165, β = −0.416) and motor (R2 = 0.180, β = −0.485) composite scores of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 6 months, independent of GA, birth weight and sex. Conclusions In clinically stable very preterm infants at term equivalent age, time spent having respiratory events, was related to a reduction in language and motor outcomes at 6 months.