Abstract
Summary: End-expiratory lung volume increased 17.5 ± 5.4 ml (mean ± SD) in full term infants and 7.7 ± 2.1 ml in premature infants when 5–7 cm H2O continuous negative pressure (CNEG) was applied around the thorax. In the full term infants, respiratory rate decreased from 52–43 min-1 (P < 0.001), mean inspiratory duration (ti) was unchanged, and mean duration of expiration (te) increased from 0.62 ± 0.14 (SE)-0.84 ± 0.22 sec (P < 0.001) after application of CNEG. Te of occluded efforts on CNEG was also prolonged (P < 0.005), although less than te of spontaneous breaths on CNEG (P < 0.005). Te increased in four of eight premature infants when CNEG was applied. We conclude that phasic vagal feedback regulates Ti and te is controlled by tonic vagal activity.
Speculation: Premature infants may have an optimum functional residual capacity (FRC) which can be achieved with continuous distending pressure, resulting in regularization of respiration.
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Stark, A., Frantz, I. Prolonged Expiratory Duration with Elevated Lung Volume in Newborn Infants. Pediatr Res 13, 261–264 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197904000-00010
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197904000-00010