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Postnatal development of periodic breathing cycle duration in term and preterm infants

Malcolm H Wilkinson1, Elizabeth M Skuza, George C Rennie

  • 1Ritchie Centre for Baby Health Research, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia. mal.wilkinson@med.monash.edu.au

Pediatric Research
|July 12, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Periodic breathing cycle duration (PCD) in infants decreases with age, contrary to theoretical models. This study observed a decline in PCD in both preterm and term infants, suggesting faster maturation in preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Infant Development

Background:

  • Maturation of periodic breathing cycle duration (PCD) in infants has conflicting reports.
  • Previous studies show PCD falls in term infants but is inconsistent in preterm infants.
  • Theoretical models predict an increase in PCD with postnatal age, contrasting with observed data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To longitudinally examine the maturation of periodic breathing cycle duration (PCD) in term and preterm infants.
  • To compare observed PCD changes with theoretical predictions.
  • To investigate potential differences in respiratory control maturation between infant groups.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study involving 17 term and 22 preterm infants.
  • Measurement of periodic breathing cycle duration (PCD) over the first 6 months postnatally.
  • Analysis of PCD changes in relation to postnatal age.

Main Results:

  • PCD decreased exponentially from birth in both term and preterm infants.
  • PCD reached a plateau between 4 and 6 months of age in both groups.
  • Preterm infants had higher initial PCD but similar PCD to term infants by 6 months, suggesting accelerated maturation.

Conclusions:

  • Periodic breathing cycle duration (PCD) declines after birth in infants, confirming previous findings.
  • Observed PCD decline contradicts theoretical models, highlighting potential differences in infant respiratory control.
  • Preterm infants exhibit a more rapid maturation of PCD compared to term infants.

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