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Review
Treatment options for apnoea of prematurity
  1. Sarah U Morton1,
  2. Vincent C Smith2
  1. 1Harvard Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program, Boston Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  2. 2Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Vincent C Smith, Department of Neonatology, BIDMC 330 Brookline Avenue Rose 318, Boston, MA 02215, USA; vsmith1{at}bidmc.harvard.edu

Abstract

Apnoea of prematurity (AOP) affects almost all infants born at <28 weeks gestation or with birth weight <1000 g. When untreated, AOP may be associated with negative outcomes. Because of these negative outcomes, effective treatment for AOP is an important part of optimising care of preterm infants. Standard treatment usually involves xanthine therapy and respiratory support. Cutting-edge work with stochastic vibrotactile stimulation and new pharmaceutical agents continues to expand therapeutic options. In this article, we review the pathophysiology of AOP, associated conditions and treatment options.

  • Apnea of prematurity
  • review article
  • Intensive care, neonatal

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2015-310228

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