Improved discrimination of central and obstructive apnoeas
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improved Discrimination Of Central And Obstructive Apnoeas In Infants Being Assessed For Acute Life-Threatening Episodes.
IRAS ID
131902
Contact name
Kelechi B Ugonna
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Children`s Hospital
Research summary
Referral of infants to the respiratory sleep disordered breathing team with apnoeas [pauses in their breathing] and apparent life-threatening episodes are frequent. While the majority of such episodes do not have a significant underlying problem, one of a number of potentially life threatening conditions account for a significant proportion of cases.
In order to fully assess an infant, a full-scale overnight cardiorespiratory polysomnography study would be required. Unfortunately due to the complexity of such studies and because the equipment is generally fully booked for planned admissions, it is extremely difficult to arrange timely assessment. Hence, currently, we are largely reliant on simple screening with pulse oximetry (measuring oxygen levels in the blood with a simple probe). Oximetry is able to identify potential breathing problems by demonstrating significant dips in oxygen levels. However it cannot determine whether the infant simply stops breathing for a period due to disturbance of its control of breathing [a ‘central’ apnoea’], or whether it is experiencing obstructive episodes, for which there are a number of causes.
We plan to assess new equipment (Volusense Vest), which may potentially provide a simple, robust means of undertaking definitive studies on the medical wards with assessment of chest and abdominal wall movement being linked to pulse oximetry.
The benefits will be that, for those with no significant underlying problems, we will be able to provide much greater reassurance for the parents, which is clearly very valuable. For those with a problem we will be able to distinguish those with central or obstructive apnoea with a degree of certainty that will greatly streamline further assessments and management.
In order to validate the ability of the Volusense device to differentiate central and obstructive pauses, it will be compared to the gold standard cardiorespiratory polysomnography.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/YH/0361
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion