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How To Control Oxygen Saturation Levels Despite Suffering From Respiratory Distress In Infants?
Hi,I have a son (16 months) that has gone through a few sleep studies because he was initially sent home from the hospital on oxygen from respiratory distress during birth. He was taken off oxygen at 8 months old when we lived at an elevation of 5600 ft, but his latest sleep studies have shown that he has central sleep apnea events that cause is blood oxygen saturation levels to drop into the 80s (mostly upper but sometimes lower 80s).The reports say that he averages at 91 however.Being that we are now at an elevation of 7500 ft, is this desaturization into the 80s warrant oxygen supplementation again? He eats well, has good percentiles for height and weight, and seems overall very healthy.Thanks,Todd
posted on
Sat, 9 May 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 16 Oct 2022
Answered on
Fri, 21 Oct 2022
Last reviewed on
Hello,
Your son has central sleep apnea because of high altitude. Treatment options for central sleep apnea are with reduction in altitude, central sleep apnea, gradually decreases, treating the underlying medical condition like end stage renal disease and heart failure if any.
If using opioids, reduction in dosage is recommended, CPAP continuous positive airway pressure, adaptive servo ventilation ASV, supplemental oxygen, and bilevel positive airway pressure. Please do consult a sleep therapist or pediatrician to prescribe any of the above therapeutic interventions. As the saturation is getting dropped to 80s it is to be addressed as soon as possible.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
Your son has central sleep apnea because of high altitude. Treatment options for central sleep apnea are with reduction in altitude, central sleep apnea, gradually decreases, treating the underlying medical condition like end stage renal disease and heart failure if any.
If using opioids, reduction in dosage is recommended, CPAP continuous positive airway pressure, adaptive servo ventilation ASV, supplemental oxygen, and bilevel positive airway pressure. Please do consult a sleep therapist or pediatrician to prescribe any of the above therapeutic interventions. As the saturation is getting dropped to 80s it is to be addressed as soon as possible.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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