Apnea of Prematurity and Interprofessional Collaboration

Course overview

Apnea, as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and researchers, is “the cessation of breathing for over 15-20 seconds and is accompanied by oxygen desaturation (SpO2 less than or equal to 80% for = 4 seconds) and/or bradycardia (HR less than 2/3 of the basic HR for = 4 seconds) in neonates with a gestational age less than 37 weeks.” Apnea of prematurity (AOP) is an individualized and self-limiting process and not associated with other disease entities. While it can be multifactorial in origin, idiopathic AOP is considered a developmental disorder that recedes with increasing gestational age. This module provides healthcare providers with information about the incidence, etiology, identification, and interprofessional treatment of AOP.