OBSTRUCTIVE APNEA IN PREMATURE AND YOUNG INFANTS

The occurence of obstructive apneas in premature and young infants is associated with a higher risk for SIDS. In order to assess the inciden ce of obstructive apnoeas in infants with different risk for SIDS pneu mography was performed including the registration of the nasal air flo w in 312 children: 69 preterm infants, 42 children after intesive care , one infant that later died of SIDS, 14 children after ALTE, 84 child ren after apnoeas observed by their parents, 25 siblings of SIDS-victi ms and 77 controls. Obstructive apnoeas were found in 24,6% of the pre term infants, in 28,5% of the children after intensive care, in 50% of the children after ALTE and in the one infant that later died of SIDS . Obstructive apnoeas however were registered only in 16,7% in the ''a pnoea-group'', in 12% of the SIDS-siblings and in 11,7% of the control s. We therefore conclude that obstructive apnoeas which were observed more frequently in children with a higher risk for SIDS are of predict ive valuefor the SIDS risk. Pneumography should therefore include the measurement of the nasal air flow. Home monitoring should be performed with devices that are able to assess brady-cardias as indirect signs of obstructive apnoeas.