A bradycardia countdown is a process that preterm infants must complete before being discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The countdown is a hallmark criterion for discharge, especially for infants with very low birth weight (VLBW).
Bradycardia is a condition where the heart rate is slower than normal, typically fewer than 60 beats per minute. When a baby is at risk for bradycardia, they are monitored with a cardiorespiratory monitor, also known as an apnea and bradycardia (A/B) monitor. If the monitor detects a bradycardia, an alarm sounds and a nurse will check the baby.
Treatments for bradycardia in babies include:
- Gentle stimulation, such as rubbing the baby’s back or jiggling their hand
- Medicines, such as caffeine, theophylline, or aminophylline
- Continuous nasal airflow or CPAP
- Ventilation or breathing for the baby with a machine
Most bradycardia events in infants resolve by 37 weeks, and more than 98% resolve by 40 weeks.