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The term clinical paroxysmal events refers to any clinical episode of sudden onset and brief duration that is: (1) phenotypically unlike those usually seen in normal neonates; (2) associated with neurological, respiratory, or cardiovascular abnormalities; or (3) due to a pathological process. Clinical paroxysmal events are characterized by changes in motor activity, autonomic function, behavior, or respiratory rate.
Clinical paroxysmal events are classfied as apnea, or as paroxysmal motor, autonomic, behavioral, or respiratory events.
Apnea is characterized by (1) a respiratory pause lasting over 15 seconds in a fullterm infant or 20 seconds in a preterm infant; or (2) a respiratory pause that, regardless of it's duration, is associated with pathological consequences such as bradycardia, cyanosis or a decrease in arterial oxygen saturation, or produced by a patological condition. Apnea may be associated with changes in motor activity, autonomic function, or behavior.
Paroxysmal motor events are characterized by increased motor activity or, in rare cases, by a sudden arrest of motor activity. Paroxysmal motor events may be associated with changes in autonomic function, behavior, or respiratory rate other than apnea. Paroxysmal motor events are the most frequent type of clinical paroxysmal events noted in the neonatal period.