Infants and young children at risk for postanesthetic apnea can be identified based on certain clinical findings. A child at increased risk should be monitored more closely following the use of anesthesia.
Infants at risk
(1) full-term infants < 4 weeks of age
(2) premature infants:
(2a) with hematocrit < 30%
(2b) postconceptual age < 44 weeks (equivalent to the full-term infant < 4 weeks of age)
(3) an infant who has survived a near-miss episode of SIDS
(4) an infant who is on apnea monitors at home
(5) an infant who have experienced apnea within 1 month prior to anesthesia
(6) an infant who is receiving respiratory stimulants (caffeine, theophilline)
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