This is a study of the development and evaluation of a system to detect and interrupt premature apnea episodes in newborn pre-terms, using vibrotactile stimulus as reversal. The system was tested in four preterm newborns involving 18 directly observed apnea episodes in the intensive care units. In order to stop apnea, the newborn was submitted, separately, to manual stimulus and guide vibration at 250Hz by four segundos. The data was analyzed with descriptive statistics. The method of apnea detection was shown to be satisfactory and the method of interrupting sleep apnea through vibratory stimulation promoted the return of respiratory movements in nine of 10 apneas. The technology developed and tested, while it demands continuity of studies, gleams a promising technology for improving the quality care in neonatology.
Apnea; Premature; Technology in health
