Oscar Camilo Pantoja-Gomez, Juanita Agudelo-Agudelo, Elida Duenas-Meza, Sonia M. Restrepo-Gualteros, Maria J. Gutierrez, Gustavo Nino
Universidad de La Sabana. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Johns Hopkins University. Children’s National Hospital and George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Columbia and United States
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
Paediatr Respir Rev 2025;
DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2025.06.001
Abstract
As survival rates for premature infants improve, understanding the link between prematurity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has become critical for enhancing outcomes in this high-risk population. Children born severely prematurely face a threefold increased risk of developing OSA due to anatomical and physiological factors, such as an abnormal upper airway, unstable ventilatory control, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. The multisystemic impact of prematurity also increases the likelihood of adverse OSA outcomes, such as neurodevelopmental deficits and pulmonary hypertension, generating a “Perfect Storm” for children affected by both conditions. Here, we summarize new insights into the shared pathophysiological mechanisms linking prematurity and OSA, highlighting the need to identify and characterize OSA in all premature infants. Polysomnographic assessments of sleep-disordered breathing and ventilatory responses to hypoxia/hyperoxia may enable tailored oxygen saturation targets for supplementation and weaning, based on each infant’s unique physiology rather than relying on generalized protocols.
Category
Class III. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Lung Disease
Class III. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Airway Disease, Apnea or Hypoventilation
Diagnostic Testing for Pulmonary Vascular Disease. Non-invasive Testing
Review Articles Concerning Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: No