Apnea within the first year of life in premature infants with bronchopulmonary displasia and pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Infants with severe and moderate bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are characterized by long-term persistence of apnea of prematurity and often have a pulmonary hypertension (PH). Respiratory pauses, accompanied by intermittent hypoxia, do not clinically manifest themselves, therefore cardiorespiratory monitoring (CRM) is required. We hypothesized that the persistent of apnea, as the cause of hypoxemia episodes, may be associated with the persistence of PH in infants with BPD.
 The aim of the study was to evaluate the dynamics of cardiorespiratory parameters and to study the relationship between obstructive apnea and PH during the first year of life of premature infants with BPD + PH.
 Materials and methods. CRM was performed in 58 infants were born at 26 0/7-31 0/7 weeks gestation and with birth weight less than 1500 grams, before discharge from the hospital (35-44 weeks of post menstrual age). 14 infants did not have BPD (group without BPD). 44 infants had BPD and 17 of them had a complication of this disease PH (BLD + PH group). Other infants with BPD did not have PH (BLD-PH group). Eight infants with BPD also underwent a study at home (aged 9 to 10 months of life).
 Results. Preterm infants with BPD + PH were more significant decrease in the average SpO2, higher desaturation index and more a number of desaturation episodes of <10% compared to infants with BPD-PH and without BPD. There was no difference in the apnea/hypopnea index and frequency of occurrence of different types of apnea between groups. There was no difference in cardiorespiratory performance in infants with BPD+PH compared to infants with BPD-PH in 9-10 months of life.
 Conclusions. There was a positive dynamics of cardiorespiratory parameters in infants with BPD+PH in 9-10 months after discharge from the hospital. The number of infants with an index of OA> 1/hour is higher in the group BPD+LH.