Intermittent Hypoxemia in Preterm Infants

Intermittent hypoxemia (IH) events are common during early postnatal life, particularly in preterm infants. These events have been associated with multiple morbidities, including retinopathy of prematurity, sleep disordered breathing, neurodevelopmental impairment, and mortality. The relationship between IH and poor outcomes may depend on the patterns (frequency, duration, and timing) of the IH events. Current treatment modalities used in the clinical setting have been only partially successful in reducing the incidence of apnea and accompanying IH, but the risks and benefits of more aggressive interventions should include knowledge of the relationship between IH and morbidity.