Best Practices for Premature Infants with Apnea and Bradycardia

Apnea of prematurity (AOP) is commonly experienced by premature infants with an incidence inversely correlated with gestational age at birth. Nearly all babies less than 28 weeks of gestational age (GA) have this diagnosis, with 85% of those born at 30 weeks and 20% of those born at 34 weeks also experiencing AOP (Eichenwald 2016). Studies have shown that events may persist in many babies, at least until the completion of 43-44 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA). These events can persist despite an “apnea-free” period of observation while in the hospital prior to discharge.