Bayley's infant behavior record ratings of infants with recurrent apnea: behavioral profile and correlates with apnea, age, and developmental status.

The goal of this study was to provide a behavioral profile of apneic infants and to examine relationships between behavioral ratings, apnea frequency, age, and concurrent developmental status. Two samples of previously apneic infants were included in this exploratory analysis using the Infant Behavior Record (IBR) as a measure of temperament. Frequency of IBR suspect ratings was more than twice those reported for the Bayley standardization sample for tension, object orientation, attention, and reactivity. Apnea frequency, age, and developmental status were significantly related to a number of IBR ratings with relationships remaining significant for apnea and decreased responsiveness to persons and sensory interest after controlling for age and developmental status in the combined samples. These findings are consistent with a behavioral profile described as a lethargic temperament but may reflect early physiologic instability rather than inherent behavioral style.