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Apnea and bradycardia have been thought to put babies at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Although the risk is questionable, some experts advise home monitoring for any baby with apnea or bradycardia. This study shows that bradycardia is commonplace and probably normal.
For 6 months, the authors followed 14 healthy term babies, 9 preterm babies with apnea who were otherwise well, and 10 preterm babies without apnea. Polysomnography was used to monitor cardiorespiratory variables. Transient episodes of bradycardia were common in all three groups (40 to 93 percent of babies had at least one) and occurred in both sleep and awake states. Heart rates frequently fell to 60 to 70 bpm, but rarely below 60 bpm. Heart rate was inversely r…