The effects of a uterine souffle simulation on respiratory pauses in preterm infants.

Respiratory pauses and apnea commonly occur in preterm infants and often necessitate medical intervention. Auditory stimulation affects respiratory activity in neonates. This study hypothesized that a continuous recording of uterine arterial flow (souffl©) diminishes time in respiratory pause, frequency of pauses, and frequency of apnea and severity of respiratory pauses. Eighteen preterm infants were studied (gestational age 30-35 weeks, birth weights 1120-2930 gms) using an equivalent time samples design. For two 30 minute periods the souffl© was on and for two 30 minute periods is was off (with randomization of time samples). Continuous impedance pneumograms and heart rate were recorded for each subject. Respiratory pauses were defined as periods of greater than three seconds without respiratory activity. Subjects experienced significantly less respiratory pause time during treatment than during control periods. There was no significant difference in frequency of respiratory pauses or apnea or in severity of pauses.