Apnea of prematurity, when not accompanied by oxygen desaturation and bradycardia, is traditionally defined as cessation of breathing for more than:

• A. 10 seconds
• B. 25-30 seconds
• C. 5 seconds
• D. 15-20 seconds

Answer: (D)

Apnea of prematurity is defined by a pause in breathing that lasts longer than 20 seconds in a preterm infant, with shorter pauses considered apnea only if they are accompanied by oxygen desaturation or bradycardia. When there is no desaturation or bradycardia, the critical threshold is a respiratory pause exceeding 20 seconds.

Among the given options, the duration that clearly meets this criterion is the range of 25–30 seconds, since it is longer than 20 seconds. The 15–20 second range does not exceed 20 seconds, so it does not fit the definition in the absence of accompanying events.