Abstract
Eight lambs delivered by caesarean section were studied before and during the first breath with Philips 5” image intensifier and an Arriflex cinematographic camera, rate 16-24 per minute. A saline filled condom was fitted on the snout of each lamb as it was brought out of the amniotic cavity, prior to exposure to air. Into the trachea was introduced a polyethylene tube in order to measure the pressure changes in the liquid-filled air passages before and during the aeration of the alveoli. Through the tube was injected 1 ml “Urografin 76 % Leiras”. The movement of the contrast material indicated before the aeration a flow from trachea out into the pharynx and the foetus swallowed it. If the foetus was asphyctic, there was a profuse stream from the trachea. During the aeration of the alveoli the lung liquid remaining in the respiratory passages were absorbed into the pulmonary circulation.
The film demonstration.
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Peltonen, R., Hirvonen, L. & Peltonen, T. Cineroentgenological studies on the flow of the foetal lung liquid during the perinatal period. Pediatr Res 8, 909 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197411000-00070
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197411000-00070