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[Pulmonary function in preterm and full term infants during the neonatal period: 1. respiratory pattern]
M F Benito Zaballos1, C Pedraz García, V Salazar A-Villalobos
1Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario, Salamanca.
Insights
Preterm newborns exhibit higher respiratory rates, but their inspiratory and expiratory timing remains similar to full-term infants. Breathing patterns, including tidal volume and minute ventilation, mature with postnatal age in both groups.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Physiology
- Respiratory Mechanics in Newborns
Background:
- Understanding respiratory patterns in newborns is crucial for identifying potential complications.
- Preterm infants often present with immature respiratory systems compared to full-term infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare breathing patterns in preterm and full-term newborns during the neonatal period.
- To analyze the influence of postnatal age on respiratory parameters such as rate, timing, and volume.
Main Methods:
- Studied 18 preterm (<1500g) and 35 full-term (>2500g) newborns.
- Grouped infants by postnatal age: <24 hrs, 24 hrs-7 days, and >7 days.
- Measured inspiratory and expiratory flow using pneumotachography.
Main Results:
- Respiratory rate (f) decreased with postnatal age, with higher rates observed in preterm infants across all age groups.
- Inspiratory (TI) and expiratory (TE) times increased with age, maintaining a consistent TI/TTOT ratio between groups.
- Tidal volume (VT) and minute ventilation increased with age and were proportional to weight; mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) was lower in preterm infants.
Conclusions:
- Despite higher respiratory rates, preterm infants demonstrate comparable respiratory cycle timing to full-term infants.
- Respiratory function, including tidal volume and minute ventilation, shows significant maturation with increasing postnatal age in both preterm and full-term newborns.
Abstract:
The pattern of breathing of 18 preterm newborn infants weighing less than 1500 g. at birth, and old 35 full-term newborns weighing more than 2500 g. at birth were studied during the neonatal period. The newborns were grouped according to postnatal age. (less than 24 hrs; 24 hrs.-7 days and less than 7 days). The inspiratory and expiratory flow was measured by means of pneumotachography. The respiratory rate values (f) decrease with postnatal age: The highest values in all three postnatal age groups correspond to the preterm newborns. The decrease in is a accompanied by an increase in the duration of inspiratory (TI) and expiratory (TE) time to such and degree that the relationship TI/total respiratory cycle (TI/TTOT) shows no significant differences between the groups studied. Both in preterm and full-term newborns, the peak expiratory flow occurs at a later point in expiration during the first 24 hours of life. The tidal volume (VT) and the minute ventilation increase with age. The VT in proportionate to the weight in all groups. The mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) is lower in the preterm newborns, and within each group, the values are higher in those whose postnatal age is greater.