Mothers of Preterm and Full-Term Infants on Home Apnea Monitors

Economics of Home Monitoring for Apnea in Late Preterm Infants

“…30 The potential for increased stress with home monitoring is undeniable, although pertinent studies have yielded conflicting results. [31][32][33][34][35] Moreover, our study assumed the safety of home monitor use with out-patient caffeine for persistent apnea of prematurity. In the absence of randomized prospective data specifically pertaining to the safety of out-patient pulse oximetry use and caffeine for persistent apnea of prematurity, providers may be disinclined to utilize an out-patient management option.…”

Transition from hospital to home by mothers of preterm infants: Path analysis results over three time periods.

“…Problems with care of at-risk infants at home may have longer-term implications. Vohr et al (1988) and Phipps, Drotar, Joseph, et al (1989) have found decreases in maternal satisfaction, responsiveness, and attachment to be associated with caregiving of at-risk infants. Williams and Williams (1990), however, found that family reframing was related to more frequent and improved caregiver-child interaction, which in turn was associated with higher infant scores on the Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language (REEL) scale (Bzoch & League, 1971).…”

“…The literature, however, does suggest that the presence of a preterm infant in a household on an apnea monitor can produce caregiver fatigue (Phipps & Drotar, 1990; Vohr, Chen, Coll, & Oh, 1988), stress (Black, Hersher, & Steinschneider, 1978; Cain, Kelly, & Shannon, 1980; Nuttall, 1988; Wasserman, 1984), sleep deprivation (Phipps & Drotar, 1990), diminished family cohesion (Dean, 1986; Knecht, 1991), and financial burdens (Ahmann, Meny, Wulff, & Fink, 1993; Malloy & Hoffman, 1995; Stevens, 1990). A small preliminary study by Williams and Williams (1990) found outcomes of 25 infants on apnea monitors to be positively influenced by the ability of caregivers and the family to “reframe” or redefine experiences in order to make them more manageable (McCubbin, Olson, & Larsen, 1987).…”

Hospital Discharge of the High-Risk Neonate—Proposed Guidelines

“…For infants with delayed maturation of respiratory control, use of home cardiorespiratory monitoring has been reported. [42][43][44] The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference 45 and the Canadian Pediatric Society policy statement 46 included prematurity with unresolved apnea as a potential indication for home monitoring. The success of home monitoring for unresolved apnea in reducing hospital stay without undue family stress has been observed.…”

“…The success of home monitoring for unresolved apnea in reducing hospital stay without undue family stress has been observed. 43,44 However, infant deaths associated with the lack of proper monitor use have been reported. 47 The predischarge clinical course and abnormal cardiorespiratory polygraphic findings have not correlated with subsequent alarm events requiring parental intervention 42 and apnea of prematurity and risk of sudden infant death syndrome.…”