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Apnea at Discharge and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux in the Preterm Infant

Journal of Perinatology volume 22, pages 8–11 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between respiratory patterns and acid gastro-esophageal reflux (g-e reflux) prior to discharge of the formerly preterm infant.

STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five infants of <32 weeks' gestation were studied at an average postmenstrual age of 37.2 weeks (SD 3.5). Following informed parental consent, a 12-hour multichannel recording including esophageal pH was obtained. Apneas of greater than 10 seconds were recorded, as well as the occurrence of bradycardia or desaturation.

RESULTS: Acid g-e reflux (pH <4.0) occurred at least once in all of the infants; prevalence was between <1% and 41% of the 12-hour record (median 4.6%, interquartile range 0.5% to 9%). The number of reflux episodes ranged from 1 to 143 (median 23). The number of apneas (>10 seconds duration) ranged from 0 to 71, median 6. There was no correlation between apnea frequency or severity and reflux frequency or duration. There was no difference in apnea frequencies between the 5 minutes after the start of a reflux episode and the 5 minutes prior to each episode.

CONCLUSION: Acid g-e reflux in the formerly preterm infant at discharge is frequent and may be prolonged; there is no association between reflux and apnea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA

    Keith J Barrington MB ChB, MRCP(UK), FRCP(C), Ken Tan MD & Wade Rich RRT

  2. Division of Neonatology, McGill University Department of Pediatrics, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Keith J Barrington MB ChB, MRCP(UK), FRCP(C)

Authors
  1. Keith J Barrington MB ChB, MRCP(UK), FRCP(C)
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  2. Ken Tan MD
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  3. Wade Rich RRT
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Barrington, K., Tan, K. & Rich, W. Apnea at Discharge and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux in the Preterm Infant. J Perinatol 22, 8–11 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210609

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