(ăp-nē′ă)
[Pronunciation]
[″ + pnoe, breathing]

Temporary cessation of breathing and, therefore, of the body's intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide.
It is a serious symptom, esp. in patients with other potentially life-threatening conditions.
See: apnea monitoring; Cheyne-Stokes respiration; sleep apnea; sudden infant death syndrome

Subentries:
central apnea
deglutition apnea
apnea–hypopnea index
mixed apnea
obstructive apnea
apnea of prematurity
sleep apnea