Improved understanding of respiratory control--implications for the treatment of apnoea.

Recurrent apnoea of prematurity should probably be regarded as more or less a physiological phenomenon providing that it is not precipitated by for example septicaemia and cerebral haemorrhage since the fetus of the corresponding age is only breathing episodically. Neonatal apnoea is probably not caused by a deficient respiratory rhythmic regeneration, but rather by respiratory inhibitory mechanisms induced by hyperthermia, hypoxia and adenosine. A more physiological approach should be taken in the treatment of apnoea. Some warning against the extensive use of xanthine derivatives should be raised.