infant apnea

[ in-fuhnt ap-nee-uh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. an interruption in the breathing of an infant, especially such an interruption that occurs during sleep, lasts 20 seconds or more, and is caused by any of a variety of conditions such as brain immaturity, heart defect, or acid reflux.

Word History and Origins

Origin of infant apnea¹

First recorded in 1975–80