Periodic Breathing: Understanding Your Baby’s Irregular Breathing Pattern
What Is Periodic Breathing?
Periodic breathing is a breathing pattern in which a baby has brief pauses in breathing followed by several faster breaths.
This pattern can be common in premature and young newborn babies because the part of the brain that controls breathing is still maturing.
Is Periodic Breathing the Same as Apnea?
No. Although both involve pauses in breathing, periodic breathing and apnea are different.
With periodic breathing, the pauses are generally brief and occur in a repeating pattern. They usually do not cause significant changes in the baby's heart rate or oxygen level.
Apnea of prematurity involves a longer breathing pause or a shorter pause associated with changes such as a slowed heart rate, decreased oxygen saturation or changes in color.
Your baby's NICU team uses the monitor and clinical assessment to help distinguish between the two.
Why Does It Happen?
Breathing is controlled by the brain. In premature babies, this system is still developing, so breathing may not always follow the steady rhythm seen in older babies and children.
Periodic breathing generally becomes less frequent as a baby's respiratory control matures.
What Should Parents Know?
It can be unsettling to watch your baby's breathing pause and restart. NICU monitors continuously track your baby's heart rate and oxygen saturation, while the care team evaluates breathing patterns in the context of your baby's gestational age and overall condition.
If you notice a breathing pattern that looks different from your baby's usual pattern, tell your baby's nurse or care team.
