Respiratory Arrest (Apnea): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96).

Respiratory system (J00-J99)

Obstruction of the airway, such as glottic edema (swelling of the laryngeal lid).
Pulmonary edema (accumulation of water in the lungs).
Pneumothorax – air in the gap between the lung and pleura where there is normally no air; leads to pulmonary collapse
Status asthmaticus – extreme form of asthma attack with persistent severe symptoms over a period of 24 hours.

Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90).

Cystic fibrosis (ZF) – genetic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance characterized by the production of secretions in various organs that need to be tamed.

Cardiovascular arrest – respiratory arrest usually occurs within one minute of cardiovascular arrest

Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).

Poliomyelitis – infectious disease caused by polioviruses, resulting in an inflammatory disease of the spinal cord with permanent paralysis.

Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99).

Paralysis of the respiratory center, e.g., due to apoplexy (stroke).
Sleep apnea syndrome – breathing pauses during sleep; due to the breathing pauses, the affected persons have a lack of oxygen, which makes them sleep poorly. Thus, patients are tired during the day.

Symptoms and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

Injuries, poisonings, and other consequences of external causes (S00-T98)

Medication

Curare (arrow poison)
Barbiturates (group of drugs with sedative/calming, hypnotic/sedative, and narcotic/numbing effects).
Narcotics – drugs used to induce/lead anesthesia.
Opioids (opiates) – strong pain medications such as morphine.
X-ray contrast media (as an immediate reaction).

Environmental pollution – intoxications (poisoning).