An infant with periodic breathing may have an increased risk of which condition?

Periodic breathing in infants, characterized by intervals of apnea followed by bursts of rapid breathing, can be a concerning phenomenon. This type of breathing pattern is considered a normal variant in newborns, but it may indicate an underlying vulnerability that relates to the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Research has shown that infants who exhibit periodic breathing may have a compromised ability to maintain stable respiratory patterns, making them susceptible to episodes of apnea. This difficulty in regulating their breathing can lead to situations where the baby may not respond adequately to a decline in oxygen saturation or other critical factors, thus increasing the potential risk for SIDS.

Due to the nature of SIDS being associated with unexplained death during sleep, it is particularly pertinent that any infants displaying abnormal breathing patterns are monitored closely. The connection between periodic breathing and SIDS emphasizes the importance of maintaining safe sleep practices and vigilant observation of infants with these breathing abnormalities.

The other conditions listed, such as pneumonia, left-sided congestive heart failure, and anemia, do not have as strong a direct association with periodic breathing patterns in infants. Therefore, the risk of SIDS is the most relevant concern in this context.