Infant Apnea Management Program
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NBN Respiratory uses all memory monitors for our program. A memory monitor has the capability of being download. After downloading the monitor it is then sent to a physician to interpret. This will help to determine if monitoring needs to be continued. One of the most common monitors is the SmartMonitor II.
SmartMonitor® 2 Infant Apnea Monitor
SmartMonitor® 2 builds on the reputation and practical advantages of the original SmartMonitor®, but is smaller, lighter and more adaptable. With more internal memory, faster downloads and data retrieval options, SmartMonitor® 2 can be used in the hospital and the home. Universal symbols integrated into the front panel of the unit, makes parent training easier and helps to overcome language barriers
Apnea – What is it?
Apnea simply means "without breath." Apnea is not always abnormal. For instance, between every breath we take is a period of apnea. Some periods are longer than others.
Bradycardia – What is it?
Bradycardia is a slowing of the heart rate, usually less than 80 beats per minutes for a premature infant. Bradycardia often follows an apnea or periods of shallow breathing. Sometimes it can be caused by a reflex such as when the baby is sucking or having a stool.
Do all babies have periods of apnea?
Yes, it can be normal for a newborn baby to have periods of apnea from 10-15 seconds. Newborn breathing can be very irregular and is considered normal. The American Academy of pediatrics defines prolonged apnea as "cessation of breathing for 20 seconds or longer, or a briefer episode associated with bradycardia, cyanosis, or pallor." In layman's terms it means that breathing has stopped for more than 20 seconds or any time a period of apnea is accompanied by a change in skin color, a slowing of the heart rate or unresponsiveness.
Why do premature infants have apnea?
Premature infants have immature respiratory centers in the brain. Preemies normally have burst of big breaths followed by periods of shallow breathing or pauses. Apnea is most common when the baby is sleeping.
What does a home monitor do?
A home monitor is a warning device that will send off an alarm sound if it detects an apneic episode or a change in heart rate. It is not a life saving device. It merely acts to summon caregivers to the baby's bedside to observe the infant and act accordingly.
Which infants are candidates for a home monitor?
After a thorough evaluation and observation in the hospital, your doctor will decide if an infants needs to be monitored at home. Typically monitored are those infants with:
- Apneic episodes requiring stimulation or resuscitation.
- Conditions such as prematurity, structural abnormalities of the airway or tracheotomies.
- Some types of chronic lung or heart disease.
Once apnea goes away, will it come back?
Apnea of prematurity is a result of immaturity. Once a baby matures and the apnea resolves, it will not return. If a baby should have breathing pauses after apnea goes away, it is not apnea of prematurity. It is due to some other problem and needs to be discussed with your baby's physician. This is not common.
How are the home apnea monitors set up?
Apnea monitors are set up at the Hospital before a baby goes home. Parents and caregivers are educated in all aspects of monitor function, including proper response to alarm events and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Who do parents and caregivers call if they have questions after an infant goes home with the apnea monitor?
If parents and caregiver have questions regarding their apnea monitor, they can either call the apnea management program.
Apnea Management Program can be contacted at:
856-669-0217 or 1-800-253-9111
After a baby is discharged from the hospital, we will contact the parents or caregivers and set up a time to come out to the home and do an initial visit. A respiratory therapist is on-call 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Click here for common reasons for apnea monitors.
