APNEA IN INFANTS WITH BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA DEPENDING ON ITS SEVERITY

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) impact on apnea incidence and characteristics in infants.Design and methods. We performed cardiorespiratory monitoring in 25 premature infants with BPD and 25 non-BPD preterms comparable in gestational age (26–30 weeks) at ages of less than 29 days, 29–50 days and > 50 days. Results. Infants with moderate to severe BPD tended to have higher apnea incidence when older than 50 days, and more obstructive episodes, compared to infants with mild BPD and without BPD. Infants with mild BPD had similar apnea type ratio as non-BPD infants. In the second and third age intervals, infants with moderate to severe BPD demonstrated similar prolonged apnea incidence but had rather more apnea accompanied by oxygen saturation (SрO2) falls ≤ 80 %, compared to infants with mild BPD and without BPD. During the irst month infants with mild BPD demonstrated shorter apnea episodes, less prolonged apnea and more apnea with SрO2≤80 % falls compared to non-BPD infants. During the second age interval these characteristics did not differ between the groups. Conclusion. Infants with moderate to severe BPD had longer apnea persistence, more signiicant SрO2falls due to apnea. Respiratory control characteristics seem to be comparable in mild BPD and non-BPD infants from the second month of age.