If a therapist notices a respiratory pause of 5-10 seconds in an infant, what should the therapist determine?

In infants, respiratory pauses lasting 5-10 seconds are often considered a normal phenomenon, particularly in very young infants. This condition, known as periodic breathing, is common in this age group and can occur as part of their developmental pattern. Infants typically have an immature respiratory control system, leading to variations in their breathing pattern.

It's important to recognize that while these pauses can be alarming to caregivers, they are frequently harmless and part of normal infant behavior. Healthcare providers are trained to be vigilant and to distinguish between what is typical and what might indicate a problem, such as apnea. In contrast, longer pauses or other signs of distress could warrant further evaluation. Therefore, when a therapist identifies a short respiratory pause of 5-10 seconds in an infant, understanding that this is often within the realm of normalcy is crucial for proper assessment and family education.