P28.3: Primary sleep apnoea of newborn

When we breathe, the air gets into the body via the respiratory tract. The respiratory tract can be divided into the upper and the lower respiratory tracts. The nose and throat form part of the upper respiratory tract. The lower respiratory tract begins at the larynx. This includes the trachea and the bronchia. You need lungs to breath. When we breathe in, oxygen enters the lungs and accumulates in the blood. This blood then flows to the heart. The heart then pumps the oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. All of the organs are supplied with oxygen as a result.

Breathing is controlled by a specific area in the brain, the respiratory center. At birth, the child’s respiratory center may not be fully developed. This can particularly occur in premature babies. A premature baby is one that is born before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy.

If the respiratory center is not yet fully developed, there may be breathing interruptions while sleeping. In such a case, breathing keeps pausing. Breathing interruptions can also occur if the upper airways are temporarily closed. This can happen if the muscle tension in the neck is low, or if the head is bent forwards.

If breathing pauses, there may be a fall in the blood's oxygen content. The heart may beat more slowly than it normally does. The lips and skin may turn blueish.