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Periodic Breathing, Pediatric

Richard M. Kravitz, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A respiratory pattern consisting of regular oscillations in breathing amplitude

  • Typically, a respiratory pattern in which ≥3 apneas lasting ≥3 seconds occur, separated by <20 secon...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • In most cases, parents notice periodicity in the child’s respiratory pattern.

  • A brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE; previously described an “apparent life-threatening event” [ALTE]...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Therapy should be directed at treating the underlying primary disease:

    • If periodic breathing is associated with apnea, hypoxemia, and/or other sleep disturbances, appropriate ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Time to improvement depends on the underlying cause of the periodic breathing.

  • Improvement is anticipated as the infant ages.

  • When treatment is started, a decrease ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Carroll JL, Agarwal A. Development of ventilatory control in infants. Paediatr Respir Rev.  2010;11(4):199–207. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Horemuzova E, Katz-Salamon M, Mil...

CODES

ICD9

786.09 Other respiratory abnormalities 

ICD10

R06.3 Periodic breathing 

SNOMED

271824009 Respiration intermittent (finding) 

FAQ

  • Q: What is the risk of the patient dying of SIDS?

  • A: The relationship between periodic breathing and SIDS is not clear, although most studies have not found a higher frequency of SIDS among patient...

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