a word used to describe complete absence of breathing for more than 10 seconds which usually occurs during sleep. It can be of two types: CENTRAL - where no effort is made to breathe, and OBSTRUCTIVE - where no breathing occurs despite repeated efforts to suck air into the lungs against a blocked upper airway. The word is derived from two Greek words "A" for absence of, and "PNOEA" meaning "to breathe". Hypopnea occurs when there is partial or incomplete absence of breathing.
Irregular breathing in babies with pauses of 20 seconds or more between breaths which is more common among premature babies. Extended apnoea will lead to ALTE, when the falling oxygen levels in the baby's brain cause him to faint, thus relaxing the body and allowing breathing to restart. Babies who have ALTE will need to be taken for hospital care and monitoring and any irregular breathing should be reported to your doctor.
a possibly life-threatening condition in which breathing stops, for either a short or long period of time
Temporary pause in breathing.