Clinical Characteristics of Apnea in Full-Term Infants: Compared to Late Preterm Infants

Objective: Apnea in newborns is defined as a respiratory pause of 20 seconds or longer, or apnea accompanied by bradycardia or cyanosis.To date, research on neonatal apnea has focused on premature infants born within 34 weeks of gestation.The aim of this study is to present clinical significance of apnea in full-term infants compared with late premature infants born over 34 weeks of gestation.Methods: In a retrospective study, we reviewed medical records of neonates born over 34 weeks of gestation hospitalized for apnea and their mothers from November 2020 to May 2024.A total of 124 neonates were collected and divided into full-term infants (n=54) and late preterm infants (n=70) groups. Results:The mean gestational age of full-term and late preterm infants was 38 +5 weeks and 35 +2 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 3.16 kg and 2.14 kg.Apnea was associated with diseases in 44.4% of full-term infants and 38.6% of late preterm infants.The rates of multiple births, small for gestational age, and cesarean section deliveries were significantly higher in late preterm infants.Apnea occurred significantly earlier and recovered faster in full-term infants.Neurologic disease was significantly more occurred in full-term infants (P=0.021).Especially, cerebral infarction and seizure were diagnosed only in full-term infants. Conclusion:Apnea occurred earlier in full-term infants and severe neurologic diseases were significantly more found in full-term infants compared with late preterm infants.A close examination is needed in full-term infants with apnea.