Premature infants and those with certain health problems are at a higher risk for apnea. This condition causes a temporary pause in breathing or very shallow breathing. Apnea can lead to a slow heart rate (called bradycardia) and give your baby’s skin a bluish tint.
Neonatologists at Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Infant Apnea Program provide specialized care for babies diagnosed with apnea who need at-home oxygen or medical equipment to monitor breathing. This program is offered at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh.
It can be unsettling to find out that your baby needs oxygen or a breathing monitor at home. Our specialists are here to help. At AHN’s Infant Apnea Program, your family benefits from:
Infant apnea most commonly affects premature infants placed on respirators or mechanical breathing machines in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Long-term use of a respirator and oxygen can damage lungs and cause bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung condition that makes breathing difficult. Infants with severe GERD and seizures are also at greater risk for apnea.
For more detailed information about infant sleep apnea visit, the National Institute of Health Sleep Apnea page.
If your baby is having difficulty breathing or suddenly turns blue, call 911 immediately.
If your baby was born prematurely and entered life with support from our neonatal intensive care unit, (NICU), your first appointment with the neonatologist will be scheduled for you before you take your baby home. If you need to confirm or reschedule an appointment, call the Sleep Apnea Clinic directly at: (412) 578-1829.
Parents of a full-term baby should talk to the pediatrician or Primary Care Provider (PCP) about their infant sleep apnea questions and concerns. AHN offers many convenient ways to schedule an in person or virtual telehealth appointment.
Need a new pediatrician or PCP? Call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to schedule an appointment at a convenient time with a pediatrician or PCP near you.
