Characteristics of an Apnea Monitor

An apnea monitor is a necessary piece of equipment when you have a premature infant who is having respiratory difficulties. When your infant is born prematurely, his central nervous system, which consists of his brain and spinal cord, is too immature to function accordingly on its own. As a result, your infant will suffer from abnormal bursts of breathing that can also stop. An apnea monitor helps your little one develop a normal breathing rhythm. Prior to your infant leaving the hospital, he may already have help breathing with a monitor.

At the Hospital

• If your infant was born prematurely, usually less than 34 weeks, she may develop breathing difficulties. According to Kids Health, these breathing abnormalities may last up to two months. In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), your infant will initially be placed on a ventilator and then a continuous positive airway machine (CPAP). A ventilator consists of a tube placed down your infant's throat to help flush air into her lungs. A CPAP machine provides a continuous flow of air circulating through her lungs. However, with a CPAP machine, your infant needs to be able to breathe on her own.

Home Apnea Monitor

• Once your infant is capable of breathing on his own in the NICU, your physician will allow you to take him home. While some infants may not have any issues of apnea when they are released from the hospital, others may. If your infant still has bouts of apnea, your physician will give you an apnea monitor. Symptoms of apnea usually resolve 44 weeks after conception of your infant.

Apnea Characteristics

• Your infant's apnea monitor will be comprised of two main components: a belt with sensory wires and a unit that monitors her breathing rate. The belt wraps around your infant's chest, and the monitor rates how often she is breathing. If the alarm sounds, this means that your child is undergoing a bout of apnea. It is important to keep your infant's monitor on a hard surface while she is sleeping, so you can be alerted when the alarm sounds. Monitors come with a carrying case, which makes the monitor convenient for traveling.

Precautions

• Prior to leaving the hospital with your child, it is important to take a class in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Though it may not be necessary to use CPR on your infant, in the event that he does cease breathing or his face turns blue, knowing CPR can be an important aspect of saving your infant's life. While using CPR, seek immediate medical attention. If your child does stop breathing, never shake him to try to get him to respond.

Risks of an Apnea Monitor

• If your power goes out, your infant's monitor can stop working. According to Kid's Health, you can call your electrical company to find out when scheduled power outages will occur. If you have a power outage that will last for a substantial amount of time, a backup generator will keep your infant's monitor running.

Purchasing a Monitor

• The cost of an apnea monitor can be pricey. However, many insurance corporations cover the cost of the machine, since infant apnea is considered a life-threatening condition. You will need to provide proof of your child's illness.

  It is also possible through your infant's hospital to rent monitors if you are unable to cover the full price of a machine. If you choose to take home the monitor provided by your infant's hospital, the NICU staff will instruct you on how to properly work the unit, and what to do when the alarm sounds.

  While it is possible to buy apnea monitors online, the units can cost more than $1,500, and there is no guarantee that the unit will be in good working condition.