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When Does Apnea Of Prematurity Occur?
Question: Hi Don't know if this is you field but hope you can help or direct me Thanks 29 yr old mother 37 3 wks is pre maturely induced without any valid medical justification (convenience of Dr Vacation schedule) (no in formed consent) Mother and baby had no complaints of any kind. fetus was 10/10 profile and healthy in all respects. \Baby born XXXXXXX 29, 2012 blue, nuchal cord loosely around neck un responsive.; low APGARS 4, 5, 7 remained in that condition for 5 to 10 minutes until pediatrician arrived with oxygen. Babty revieved. Released from hosp[ital NICU two days later to home. Within approx 11 hrs baby turned blue no breathing rushed to hospital same symptoms as at birth. Three instances were documented as well as some 29 instances of apena lasting 18 - 20 seconds since. Released after 12 days with oxygen assist at home and monitors. Has been since admitted to Cornell Weil/NYU (NYC) on several occasions to present with principal diagnosis of Central Apena. Still suffering. Can this condition be caused/related to pre mature inducement and if so how Thank you in advance for any assistance AJB
Brief Answer:
It was a term delivery and not preterm
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Any delivery after 37 weeks and before 42 weeks is said as term delivery. So, your baby was a term baby and not a preterm. Apnea of prematurity occurs usually in babies born at less than 34 weeks of gestation.
Apneic spells occurring in infants at or near term are always abnormal and are nearly always associated with serious identifiable causes, such as birth asphyxia, intracranial haemorrhage, seizures, or depression from medications.
As per your description, the cause in your baby seems to be due to birth asphyxia or seizures. APGAR in your baby was low but it's a very crude predictor of birth asphyxia. Parameters such as umbilical cord pH if taken at birth are more useful.
Since your baby is more than a month now, I would recommend you to go for a complete neurological examination, EEG and MRI brain to check for the reason behind his recurrent Apneic spells. Also, he may require anti epileptic drugs to manage the condition.
Hopefully this will help you. I would be glad to help you in any further questions.
Take care
It was a term delivery and not preterm
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Any delivery after 37 weeks and before 42 weeks is said as term delivery. So, your baby was a term baby and not a preterm. Apnea of prematurity occurs usually in babies born at less than 34 weeks of gestation.
Apneic spells occurring in infants at or near term are always abnormal and are nearly always associated with serious identifiable causes, such as birth asphyxia, intracranial haemorrhage, seizures, or depression from medications.
As per your description, the cause in your baby seems to be due to birth asphyxia or seizures. APGAR in your baby was low but it's a very crude predictor of birth asphyxia. Parameters such as umbilical cord pH if taken at birth are more useful.
Since your baby is more than a month now, I would recommend you to go for a complete neurological examination, EEG and MRI brain to check for the reason behind his recurrent Apneic spells. Also, he may require anti epileptic drugs to manage the condition.
Hopefully this will help you. I would be glad to help you in any further questions.
Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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