Summary
Question of the study
The study's purpose was to compare asymptomatic preterm twins with matched singleton preterms concerning central apnoea and periodic breathing recorded by cardiorespiratory polygraphy during sleep in order to assess whether preterm twins have more central apnoea and periodic breathing dependent on birthweight than singletons.
Patients and methods
Fourteen preterm twins were matched with singleton preterms. All infants underwent 12-h nocturnal cardiorespiratory polygraphy. Central apnoeas, periodic breathing, desaturations and body movements were recorded. Statistical comparison of the first (Twin I) and second (Twin II) twins with singletons was performed.
Results
There was no difference between twins and singletons in the frequency of central apnoeas, episodes of periodic breathing or body movements. The incidence of desaturations in both twin groups was slightly higher than in the singleton group. Increasing birthweight correlated significantly with decreasing frequency of central apnoeas in Twin II (r=−0.7; P<0.05) and Singleton (r=−0.8; P<0.05). In Twin I the correlation was no significant (r=−0.4; P<0.2).
Conclusion
We conclude that central apnoeas in preterm infants are significantly dependent on birthweight and development in second twins and in singletons. Because preterm twins are at higher risk of low and very low birthweight, they subsequently are at higher risk of the occurrence of central apnoeas.
Zusammenfassung
Fragestellung
Das Ziel der Studie ist ein Vergleich zwischen frühgeborenen Zwillingen und frühgeborenen Einzelkindern, um abzuschätzen, ob bei frühgeborenen Zwillingen vermehrt zentrale Apnoen und periodische Atmung in Abhängigkeit zum Geburtsgewicht auftreten als bei frühgeborenen Einzelkindern.
Patienten und Methodik
14 frühgeborene Zwillinge wurden mit frühgeborenen Einzelkindern verglichen. Alle Frühgeborenen wurden für 12 Stunden nachts kardiorespiratorisch untersucht. Zentrale Apnoen, periodische Atmung, Sauerstoffentsättigung und Körperbewegungen wurden aufgezeichnet. Statistisch wurden die erstgeborenen mit den zweitgeborenen Zwillingen sowie mit den frühgeborenen Einzelkindern verglichen.
Ergebnisse
Es gab keinen Unterschied zwischen den Zwillingen und Einzelkindern in der Anzahl zentraler Apnoen, dem Anteil an periodischer Atmung oder Körperbewegungen. Die Anzahl der Sauerstoffsättigungsabfälle war bei den Zwillingen gering höher als bei den Einzelkindern. Höheres Geburtsgewicht korrelierte signifikant mit einem geringeren Anteil zentraler Apnoen bei den zweitgeborenen Zwillingen (r=−0.7; P<0.05) und frühgeborenen Einzelkindern (r=−0.8; P<0.05), bei den erstgeborenen Zwillingen zeigte sich dahingehend keine Signifikanz (r=−0.4; P<0.2).
Schlussfolgerung
Zentrale Apnoen bei Frühgeborenen sind signifikant vom Geburtsgewicht bzw. der Entwicklung abhängig. Da frühgeborene Zwillinge ein höheres Risiko für ein geringeres Geburtsgewicht haben, haben sie ggf. ein höheres Risiko für zentrale Apnoen.
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Hoch, B., Bernhard, M. Central apnoea and periodic breathing in preterm twins compared with preterm singletons. Somnologie 8, 20–24 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-054X.2003.00011.x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-054X.2003.00011.x