Since CPAP is no longer administered by mask, the results of this review have limited importance for current clinical practice. Further evaluation of the benefits and harms of CPAP vs theophylline for preterm infants with apnea requires further trials in which CPAP is administered by current methods. Recurrent episodes of apnea are common in preterm infants and the incidence and severity increases at lower gestational ages. If prolonged, apnea can lead to hypoxaemia and reflex bradycardia which may require active resuscitative efforts to reverse. There are clinical concerns that these episodes might be harmful to the developing brain or cause dysfunction to the gut or developing organs.
Central apnea is defined as the absence of breathing efforts.
Obstructive apnea occurs when, despite breathing efforts, the airway is closed. There are no published randomized controlled trials of CPAP vs control for apnea of prematurity.