Abstract
Nine babies (b.w. 1-2kg) were studied 38 times in the first 35 days of life. They were given 21, 19, 17 and 15% O2 to breathe for 5 min each, then 21, 15 and 21% O2 for 5 min each. We determined the incidence of periodic breathing, ventilation/apnea (V/A) time ratio, respiratory minute volume and frequency, heart rate, and , and the , and pH of arterialized blood. With 15% O2 the incidence of periodic breathing was substantially increased (see Table); with 17% O2 the incidence was less pronounced but significant (P < .005).
In 3 babies the oscillations in oxygen saturation (ear oximeter) increased from 4% during 21% O2 to 12% during 15% O2. One baby became apneic (>20 sec) after prolonged periodic breathing with marked hypoventilation and low V/A ratio. These findings suggest that decreased may be a primary event leading to hypoventilation, periodic breathing and apnea in the preterm infant.
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Rigatto, H., Brady, J., Dumpit, F. et al. Low arterial oxygen tension: A primary event leading to periodic breathing and apnea in preterm infants. Pediatr Res 5, 414 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00180
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00180