Infantile apnea and home monitoring.

Electronic cardiorespiratory monitors are appropriately used in the home for infants who are at high risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A recent Consensus Panel, convened by several US federal agencies recommended that home monitors should not be used for infants at normal SIDS risk (less than 2/1,000 live births) or for asymptomatic premature infants. Those infants where home monitoring, despite its limitations and complications, is definitely indicated because of their very high risk, include survivors of severe apparent life-threatening events (occurring during sleep and 'requiring' CPR), siblings of two or more SIDS, and premature infants, still mildly or moderately symptomatic with apnea of prematurity who are otherwise ready for hospital discharge.