Parental presence during anesthesia induction.

survival rate was significantly better in babies with apnea of prematurity (69.2%) as compared to those with infection and apnea (23.1%). When compared to infection (all cases) where the survival rate was 60%, infection with apnea had a significantly poorer outcome (p <0.05) indicating thereby that apnea is a manifestation of severe sepsis(4). Apnea of prematurity and fewer episodes (between 1 to 2) were associated with a better survival rate. Tudehope studied a cohort of 164 infants with apnea of prematurity and reported that after correction for low birth weight, mechanical ventilation and chronic lung disease, apnea per se had no adverse effect on intellectual performance(5). We conclude that all babies < 32 weeks gestation need to be closely monitored for apnea. About half the cases are related to infection and one fourth to apnea of prematurity. Apnea of prematurity does not alter the outcome and majority can be managed without ventilation. Apnea occurring in association with sepsis, however, carries a