Five premature infants experiencing frequent episodes of apnea and bradycardia were treated with continuous positive airway pressure deliv ered by nasopharyngeal tube. A significant de crease in the frequency and severity of apneic spells was observed. Premature withdrawal from end expiratory pressure resulted in an increase in both the incidence and the duration of the apneic episodes. We suggest that hypoventilation and a reduced functional residual capacity (FRC) are related to the development of prolonged apnea. Expansion and stabilization of FRC with small amounts of end expiratory pressure appears to be beneficial.
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