1649 HOME APNEA MONITORING IN THE SIBLINGS OF SIDS VICTIMS

Abstract

Prolonged sleep apnea (> 20 seconds) has been postulated as the final pathway in SIDS. To evaluate this we managed a high-risk group of 50 siblings of SIDS victims, including 11 survivors of 9 multiple pregnancies, on apnea monitors at home.

The mean birth weight and gestational age was 3.2±0.6 kg. and 38.4±2.7 weeks respectively. Monitoring started at 3.5±3.6 weeks in the singleton siblings and 16.4±6.6 weeks in the multiple pregnancy survivors. Twelve infants (24%) had at least one definite apneic spell with 8 having >5 episodes. The mean age of the first and last spells were 2.8 and 6.6 months respectively. Clustering in time was noted in 8, and precipitating factors, especially “colds”, were associated with apnea in 9 babies. No deaths occurred, but 9 babies needed vigorous stimulation on at least one occasion. Monitoring ended at an age of 10.2±2.4 months in babies with apnea and 7.1±2.3 months in those without apnea.

The apneic babies were no different in respect to sex (X²= 0.01) and prematurity rate (X²=1.46). The incidence of apnea was the same in the survivors of multiple pregnancies as in the singleton siblings (X²=0.08). There was no relationship between the timing of the apnea and the age at death of the sibling.

Prolonged apnea in the first 9 months of life is commoner than expected in the siblings of SIDS victims and we speculate that it may be inherited as an autosomal recessive condition.

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account

Continue with Google

Continue with ORCiD