What evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of home monitoring in reducing infant mortality (especially SIDS) and morbidity?
• Based on the above, what recommendations can be made at present regarding the circumstances for use of home apnea monitoring in infancy? • What further research is needed on home apnea monitoring for infants. Definitions Expression of concepts and terminology has been difficult. Continued intense efforts directed toward definitions are important. The following definitions are used in this document. Apnea–Cessation of respiratory air flow. The respiratory pause may be central or diaphragmatic (i.e., no respiratory effort), obstructive (usually due to upper airway obstruction), or mixed. Short (15 seconds), central apnea can be normal at all ages. Pathologic Apnea–A respiratory pause is abnormal if it is prolonged (20 seconds) or associated with cyanosis; abrupt, marked pallor or hypotonia; or bradycardia. Periodic Breathing–A breathing pattern in which there are three or more respiratory pauses of greater than 3 seconds’ duration with less than 20 seconds of respiration between pau
