periodic apnea of the newborn

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Explanation of "Periodic Apnea of the Newborn"

Definition:
"Periodic apnea of the newborn" refers to a condition in which a newborn baby has irregular breathing patterns. This means that the baby breathes quickly for a short time and then has pauses in breathing (known as apnea). These pauses can last for a few seconds to a minute. This condition is common in premature infants and is thought to be related to conditions such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Usage Instructions:

• Context: You would typically use this term in medical discussions about newborn health, especially when talking about breathing problems in babies.
• Example Sentence: "The doctor explained that periodic apnea of the newborn is usually not serious but should be monitored closely."

Advanced Usage:

In a clinical or research context, you might read about how periodic apnea affects premature infants and the potential need for monitoring or treatment to ensure the baby remains healthy.

Word Variants:

• Periodic (adjective): Occurring at regular intervals; for example, "The baby has periodic episodes of rapid breathing."
• Apnea (noun): The condition of not breathing; for instance, "Apnea can be concerning if it occurs frequently."

Different Meanings:

• Apnea: In a broader sense, apnea can refer to a pause in breathing that can also occur in adults or during sleep (sleep apnea).

Synonyms:

• Breathing irregularities of the newborn
• Newborn apnea

Related Terms:

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): A term used to describe the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, often during sleep.
• Premature infant: A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While "periodic apnea of the newborn" does not have direct idioms or phrasal verbs, understanding terms like "hold your breath" (to stop breathing momentarily due to surprise or fear) can help illustrate the concept of pauses in breathing.

Summary:

Periodic apnea of the newborn is a common condition where babies experience irregular breathing patterns, characterized by quick breaths followed by short pauses.

Academic

Noun

1. irregular breathing of newborns; periods of rapid breathing followed by apnea; believed to be associated with sudden infant death syndrome