Researchers from the Department of Pediatrics at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in California recently published a study in the journal Pediatrics. The study aimed to find common characteristics that increased the risk of sleep apnea in children admitted to the hospital with bronchiolitis. Several contributing factors were found.
Children admitted to the hospital with bronchiolitis at 16 medical centers between 2007 and 2010 were followed for the study. In total, data was collected on more than 2,100 children. NPAs (nasopharyngeal aspirates) were collected on all patients and tested for viruses.
Conclusion: Researchers found higher risk of apnea in patients with a history of low birth weight and younger adjusted age. A history of apnea and respiratory rates prior to admission also impacted risk of apnea. There did not appear to be a specific pathogen that affected risk of apnea more or less.
Source: Schroeder AR, Mansbach JM, Stevenson M, Macias CG, Fisher ES, Barcega B, Sullivan AF, Espinola JA, Piedra PA, Camargo CA Jr. Apnea in Children Hospitalized With Bronchiolitis. Pediatrics. 2013 Oct 7. doi: 10.1542/peds.2006-2223.
