A problem of circumstance
Infants that have fallen victim to apnea-related SIDS would not have done so had they recieved appropriate adult attention during their fatal episode of breathing cessation. Therefore, a device which monitors an infant’s breathing and alerts a nurse if a problem occurs would greatly increase the infant’s chance of resuscitation. Especially in neonatal wards or infant observatory rooms where a few nurses must divide their time between many cribs, an audible alarm could give the early warning and information that nurses need to act appropriately.
Incidence and statistics
There are several risk factors for sleep apnea. Among these are infection, low blood sugar, environmental factors, neurological problems, and especially premature birth. Babies who are born prematurely are at an exceptionally large risk for asphyxiation. [http://www.emory-childrenscenter.org]
Annually, 4 million neonatal deaths occur worldwide. Of these, 23%, or around 1 million deaths, can be linked to asphyxiation. Approximately 99% of these take place in low to medium income countries; Thus, living in poverty conditions exacerbates poor infant health. [Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2009;87:130-138]
In the study cited above, almost all of the asphyxia related deaths occured within the first week of life. Concentrating our device in hospitals only would thus solve nearly all the problems from asphyxia and apnea related deaths.
Roughly 2-10% of all infants are prone to episodes of sleep apnea, so a respiratory monitor would greatly increase awareness of complications in breathing [AJNR 1990 11: 1087-1096].
Our project is aimed toward developing nations, so cost and ease of implementation are a priority.
Annually, 4 million neonatal deaths occur worldwide. Of these, 23%, or around 1 million deaths, can be linked to asphyxiation. Approximately 99% of these take place in low to medium income countries; Thus, living in poverty conditions exacerbates poor infant health. [Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2009;87:130-138]
In the study cited above, almost all of the asphyxia related deaths occured within the first week of life. Concentrating our device in hospitals only would thus solve nearly all the problems from asphyxia and apnea related deaths.
Roughly 2-10% of all infants are prone to episodes of sleep apnea, so a respiratory monitor would greatly increase awareness of complications in breathing [AJNR 1990 11: 1087-1096].
Our project is aimed toward developing nations, so cost and ease of implementation are a priority.