Prolonged apnea of prematurity: Treatment with continuous airway distending pressure delivered by nasopharyngeal tube.

Five premature infants experiencing frequent episodes of apnea and bradycardia were treated with continuous positive airway pressure delivered by nasopharyngeal tube. A significant decrease in the frequency and severity of apneic spells was observed. Premature withdrawal from end expiratory pressure resulted in an increase in both the incidence and the duration of the apneic episodes. We suggest that hypoventilation and a reduced functional residual capacity (FRC) are related to the development of prolonged apnea. Expansion and stablization of FRC with small amounts of end expiratory pressure appears to be beneficial.