Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Apnea is a common problem in newborns however clinical outcome is not known well in otherwise healthy newborns. This study is aimed to evaluate the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of otherwise healthy newborns presenting with apnea.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 59 children who were hospitalized in neonatal period and consulted with a pediatric neurologist after a solely apneic event.

RESULTS

There were no significant findings with respect to the complete blood count, C-reactive protein, serum electrolytes and blood glucose. Only in one patient, cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hemorrhage in the right temporal lobe. Antiepileptic drug was initiated in 3 (5%) patients with abnormal electroencephalography findings. After discharge from hospital, no patient had recurrent episodes of apnea. Their median of follow-up time was 34 months (IQR: 24-41). All patients showed normal psychomotor development. The most common presentation of apnea was a brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE) in our study.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our study showed that the vast majority of apneic events are self-limiting and require no intervention in otherwise healthy term newborns.