What is a sign of inadequate respiratory drive in an infant?

A sign of inadequate respiratory drive in an infant includes persistent apnea, which refers to pauses in breathing that last longer than 20 seconds or are associated with bradycardia or oxygen desaturation. This condition indicates that the infant is not initiating breaths effectively, which is a critical concern in monitoring respiratory function.

Assessing respiratory drive often involves examining the frequency and quality of breathing patterns. While rapid and shallow breathing, increased heart rate, and consistent oxygen saturation can provide additional contextual clues related to respiratory status, they do not directly point to inadequate respiratory drive as clearly as persistent apnea does. Inadequate drive results in an infant being unable to maintain sufficient ventilation, leading to potential hypoxemia and necessitating immediate evaluation and intervention. Persistent apnea signifies a more severe derangement in respiratory drive and warrants prompt medical attention.