When observing an infant, a respiratory pause of what duration is considered always abnormal?

A respiratory pause lasting 20 seconds or longer in an infant is considered always abnormal because it suggests a potential underlying issue that could affect the infant's ability to breathe properly. In the context of pediatric assessments, pauses in respiration may occur in many scenarios, particularly during sleep; however, durations of 20 seconds or more indicate a significant risk of apnea or other serious respiratory distress.

In infants, brief pauses that last up to 15 seconds can sometimes be observed and may not be concerning, especially if the infant promptly resumes normal breathing without additional symptoms. However, a pause that reaches the 20-second mark raises alarms as it may reflect a neuromuscular or central nervous system problem, among other clinical concerns, which could necessitate further evaluation and intervention to ensure the infant’s well-being. Thus, recognizing a 20-second pause as abnormal is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment.