Abstract
We studied the occurrence of ≥ 2 sec. respiratory pauses (RP) in very low risk, normal
prematurely born infants (≤ 36 wks. of gestation), recorded when they reached 37-40
wks. conceptional age and compared the results with those of full-term (37-41 wks.
of gestation) newborns. The influence of gestational age at birth (GA), postnatal
age, sleep states, twin birth and gross body movements was tested.
We recorded 2434 central RP and only one 4 sec. duration obstructive RP. We never
observed RP > 15 sec. 10-15 sec. RP were rare, noted only in 37-38 wks. GA newborns.
We found some differences between prematures reaching normal term on one hand and
full-term newborns on the other: a) RP frequency and periodic breathing were higher
in prematurely born infants; b) Between-sleep state differences leveled out in prematures
reaching normal term (they had more numerous RP in all sleep states), while the prevalence
of RP in active sleep compared to quiet sleep was constant in full-term newborns.
There were no significant differences between prematurely born twins and singletons.
When they reached normal term, infants born before 35 wks. of gestation had more
RP, compared to infants born at 35-36 wks. of gestation.
About 12 % of RP occurred after gross body movements.
Key words
Respiratory pauses - Sleep - Prematures - Twins - Normal
