What characteristics possibly suggest a malignant cause of neonatal apnea?

Short periods of apnea associated with periodic breathing is normal.

However the following characteristics of apnea may suggest a non-benign cause:

• accompanied by symptoms or skin color change


• lasts > 10 seconds


• is recurrent


• or appears > 2 weeks of age

Source

The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Resource. 4th ed.