Reduction of Sleep Apnea and Bradycardia in Preterm Infants on Oscillating Water Beds: a Controlled Polygraphic Study

The sleep and respiratory patterns of eight apneic preterm infants were polygraphically recorded for 24 hours. This polygraphic study was designed to test and extend our previous finding that gently oscillating water beds reduce apnea in premature infants. The infants who ranged in gestational age from 27 to 32 weeks and in birth weight from 1,077 to 1,650 gm served as their own controls, off and on the water bed. The 24-hour recordings were divided into four time blocks with the infant being placed on the water bed during alternate six-hour periods. Apnea was significantly reduced while the infants were on the oscillating water beds, with the longest apneic periods and those associated with severe bradycardia being reduced the most. Reduction of apnea was most consistent during indeterminate sleep and most pronounced during quiet sleep. Short respiratory pauses and periodic breathing were not significantly reduced. Reductions of central, obstructive, and mixed apneas were approximately equal.