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Dedicated to improving the lives of children who suffer from apnea or bradycardia, while supporting their parents in the care of monitoring the conditions.
Apnea, which literally means "without breath," is a disorder that can affect children, infants and adults.
The Apnea Center of The Emory Children's Center primarily treats apnea in premature infants with apparent life threatening events. These are infants who stop breathing, turn blue or have been diagnosed to be at increased risk for sudden and unexpected death, (sudden infant death syndrome). In addition, we treat children with bradycardia or low heart rate. Our center is the largest program of its type in the country.
The main causes of apnea differ depending on the affected age group. In premature infants, the most common cause is apnea prematurity. In this instance, the baby's nervous system is immature and the infant doesn't respond to changes that would normally stimulate a natural reaction to breathe. When the infant makes no attempt to breathe and there is no airflow from the nose or mouth, the condition is called "central apnea."
Bradycardia in infants is often caused by gastroesophageal reflux or difficulty co-coordinating sucking and swallowing.
Founded in 1996, The Apnea Center is located at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. One of our primary goals is to decrease the anxiety experienced by parents of children with these disorders. As part of that commitment, we follow an average of 900 to 1,000 infants on home monitors.
Services
Apnea Center "Event Monitoring" - The center monitors apnea in infants with the use of a cardio respiratory "alarm system" that alerts parents when the child's heart rate drops or breathing ceases for 20 seconds or more. The monitor also records the child's heart rate, including the actual EKG "tracing" and the respiratory pattern.
The Apnea Center staff then retrieves the data from the "event recorder" and interprets the tracings and patterns, allowing them to evaluate the event. The use of this technology and accurate interpretation of the data has greatly enhanced the ability to accurately distinguish true apnea events from false alarms.
The Apnea Center provides:
- Interpretive summaries of event monitor "tracings" (EKG reports) which can be used as a diagnostic tool and treatment guide
- 24-hour availability for interpretation of "tracing" downloads
- Rapid interpretation of the downloads to pediatricians and family practitioners
- Direct download interpretation from a patient's home (provided the family's home care company offers modem compatible withHealthdyne monitor software).
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Results
The enhanced accuracy of apnea monitoring has resulted in improving the lives of children and their parents. Some of the care benefits include the ability to wean an infant off a monitor sooner, the reduction of diagnostic studies and fewer hospitalizations.
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Location/Contact Information
The Apnea Center is located at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta on the grounds of Emory University campus.
For questions or more information about interpretive services please:
In Atlanta: 404-785-1801
Outside Atlanta: (800)489-8694
Fax: 404-785-6651 Emory campus map
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Staff
Dr. Gary E. Freed, a nationally recognized expert in apnea, leads a multidisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, therapists and technicians. There are seven caseworkers who are registered nurses or respiratory therapists and five apnea technicians. Download technicians work with the staff to interpret over 10,000 downloads from event monitors each year. The team follows between 900-1000 infants on home monitors.
Key team members include:
- Gary E. Freed, DO, Director
- Janice Meekins, MD
- Fran Martinez, PNP
The Apnea Center is available 24 hours per day/7 days per week.
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Education/Support
The following web site provides more information about pediatric apnea. Please click below to be directly linked to the site.
www.sidsalliance.org (Sudden Infant Death Alliance, SIDS)
The SIDS alliance is a national program that has local affiliates. Please check on the site to find the affiliate nearest you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was my child placed on a monitor?
There could be several reasons. First, your child's physician may be concerned that your child might stop breathing or his heart rate drop. In that event, the monitor's alarm will alert you to check the child and stimulate him if necessary. Secondly by reviewing the pattern of a child's breathing and heartbeat, the professionals at the Apnea Center may be able to diagnose what caused your child to have an episode of color change or apnea (not breathing). A monitor is also sometimes used to determine if a child's prescribed treatment is working.
How long will my child need to be on the monitor?
It depends on the reason the monitor was prescribed, but in most instances, a child is monitored for two to three continued months without incidence. This will vary from child-to-child and needs to be discussed with your physician.
Does my child need to wear the monitor 24 hours per day?
No. Your child should be monitored when he is sleeping, unattended by an adult, or in the car seat. There are times when the child needs to be on the monitor longer but the Apnea Center or your physician will explain this to you.
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