Management of Apnea in Late Preterm and Term Infants

Summary

Apnea is a common discharge-delaying diagnosis in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. While it is relatively more common in extremely premature infants, it also occurs frequently in late preterm and even full term infants. Since the majority of all births include late preterm infants and full term infants, the absolute number of late preterm and full term infants with apnea remains significant. Evidence-based guidelines for the management of apnea in such infants do not exist. Current management falls into two distinct but very different categories. This study will compare these two distinct management strategies.

Our study will be a prospective, randomized pilot trial to provide data regarding (a) feasibility for recruitment and study protocols and (b) provide preliminary data regarding efficacy of both treatment arms.

Our primary objective will be to test the hypothesis that early discharge and outpatient monitoring of late preterm and term infants with apnea of prematurity results in decreased length of hospital stay, is safe, and results in improved patient satisfaction, as assessed by the PedsQL questionnaire and Impact on Family Scale.

Our study population will include infants who meet the following criteria: (1) Born at greater than or equal to 34 0/7 weeks gestation; (2) Are assigned a diagnosis of apnea, bradycardia, and/or oxygen desaturations by the primary clinical team; (3) Have met all other discharge criteria (i.e. feeding maturity, temperature regulation, etc.) so that apnea/bradycardia/desaturation remains the final discharge issue for at least 7 days.

Infants enrolled in this research study will be randomized to in hospital observation versus early discharge home with caffeine and a home monitor. Neither strategy is experimental as both are currently utilized by neonatologists locally and nationally. A direct comparison of the two treatments, however, has never been undertaken in a study. If an infant is assigned to the in hospital group, they will remain in the hospital until an apnea free period of at least 5 consecutive days has been established. Outpatient follow up will occur per unit standard and typically includes a nursing visit and a doctor visit within 2-3 days of discharge. Caregivers will be asked to complete 3 brief questionnaires at enrollment, at 1 month after hospital discharge, and at 6 months of age. Each questionnaire will ask about topics such as satisfaction with hospital stay, quality of life, and numbers of acute care visits and/or rehospitalizations. Alternatively, if an infant is assigned to the early discharge group, caffeine will be given to the infant and if after a 3 day period no further apnea is noted the infant will be discharged home with continued daily caffeine therapy by mouth as well as a home monitor. Caffeine is a very commonly used drug in neonates and has an excellent safety profile. Side effects are minimal and may infrequently consist of gastroesophageal reflux. All caregivers will receive training on the use of a home monitor. Initial outpatient follow up will occur per unit standard and typically includes a nursing visit and a doctor visit within 2-3 days of discharge. Additionally, caregivers will be contacted via telephone within 2 days to answer any questions or address any concerns pertaining to apneic events, home monitor use, or caffeine therapy. Follow up in the pulmonary clinic will be arranged at 42-43 weeks gestational age at which time caregivers will be taught to determine the baseline frequency of monitor alarms on caffeine. At 43 weeks corrected gestational age, caregivers will be instructed to discontinue caffeine therapy and advised to contact the pulmonary clinic should alarm frequency increase. An outpatient recorded oximetry study will be arranged at least 1 week after discontinuation of caffeine therapy. Home pulse oximetry monitoring will be discontinued if no significant events are recorded. Caregivers will be asked to complete 3 brief questionnaires at enrollment, at 1 month after discontinuation of the home monitor, and at 6 months of age. Each questionnaire will ask about topics such as satisfaction with hospital stay, quality of life, and numbers monitor alarms, acute care visits and/or rehospitalizations.

Conditions

• Apnea

Interventions

DRUG

Caffeine citrate

Loading dose and continues use of caffeine until 44 weeks postmenstrual age

DEVICE

Home monitor

Use of home monitor until 44 weeks postmenstrual age

OTHER

Continued inpatient monitoring until apnea resolution

Continued inpatient monitoring until apnea resolution

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Boston Children's Hospital

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Max Age

3 Months

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-06-30

Primary Completion

2020-12-31

Completion

2021-05-31