The following is intended to give you information, and is not recommended to replace care from a medical practitioner.
If you have concerns about the health or wellbeing of your baby, please see a doctor or contact your local infant health care nurse.
Apnea is a medical term that means ‘without breath’. Apnea, when used in reference to babies, refers to when a baby has not taken a breath for at least 20 seconds. Many babies who have been diagnosed with apnea are discharged from hospital with a breathing monitor until the condition has resolved.
Apnea of Prematurity occurs in babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks gestation). It is generally because of an underdeveloped nervous system. Babies will usually grow out of this condition by the time they reach about 42 weeks gestational age.
Apnea of Infancy occurs in children who are younger than 1 year old and who were born after a full-term pregnancy.
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin in newborn babies. it is because most babies are unable to get rid of bilirubin , which is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin breaks down faster than baby’s liver can break it down, and is common in premature babies and newborns. This is usually a harmless condition, however, it could indicate other health problems. It is treated with phototherapy.
Premature Birth is when a baby is born before they reach 37 weeks gestational age. Premature babies are at higher risk of health complications than most babies born ‘at term’.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for children aged between 1 month and 1 year of age. There is no clear cause for SIDS, however, recent recommendations for Safe Sleep have seen SIDS rates reduce by around 40% in some countries over the last 20 years.