What should a therapist determine if a respiratory pause exceeds 20 seconds in an infant?

In the context of infant respiratory pauses, understanding the implications of a pause that exceeds 20 seconds is critical for ensuring the safety and well-being of the infant. When a respiratory pause lasts more than 20 seconds, this is generally indicative of a potential underlying issue that should be investigated further.

Typically, while it is common for infants to experience brief pauses in breathing, particularly during sleep, a pause longer than 20 seconds is not considered a normal variation. This duration could raise concerns about possible conditions such as apnea of prematurity or other respiratory or neurological complications.

Consequently, such a prolonged pause warrants further evaluation to identify any potential health risks. Monitoring the infant's overall clinical status and conducting any necessary assessments or tests can help ensure that appropriate care is provided if there is a need for intervention. Thus, determining that a respiratory pause exceeding 20 seconds is always abnormal aligns with the understanding of infant respiratory health and the critical nature of addressing significant pauses in breathing.