periodic apnea of the newborn

7.5

Newborn babies breathe quickly and then stop for short times

noun
/ˌpɪəriˈɒdɪk ˈæpniə əv ðə ˈnuːbɔrn/

Specialized

: apnea periódica del recién nacido

Research has explored the relationship between periodic apnea of the newborn and sudden infant death syndrome.

Examples

Doctors closely monitor infants with periodic apnea of the newborn for any signs of distress.
Parents are often taught how to respond if periodic apnea of the newborn occurs at home.
The doctor explained that periodic apnea of the newborn is common.
Many parents worry about periodic apneas of the newborn.
Doctors closely monitor infants with periodic apnea of the newborn for any signs of distress.
Parents are often taught how to respond if periodic apnea of the newborn occurs at home.
Research has explored the relationship between periodic apnea of the newborn and sudden infant death syndrome.

How Severe

apnea

Specialized

24 7.1

periodic apnea of the newborn

Specialized

7.5

periodic breathing

Specialized

6.7

eupnea

Specialized

9.9

Surface Forms

periodic apnea of the newborn singular

periodic apneas of the newborn plural

Morphology

periodic + apnea + of + the + newborn

The phrase is a fully compositional medical noun phrase: 'periodic' (recurring) + 'apnea' (a pause in breathing) + 'of the newborn' (in infants) yields the literal meaning of recurring breathing pauses in newborns. Despite its clinical register, the standard English construction 'X of the Y' and the direct contribution of each constituent make the meaning immediately derivable for a learner who knows the parts.

Etymology

Periodic apnea of the newborn is a simple description: apnea means 'no breathing', periodic means it happens again and again in short times, and newborn means a baby just born. So the phrase describes babies who have repeated short pauses in breathing, which is why doctors use it today.