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Hering-Breuer reflex, lung volume and position in prematurely born infants

Francesca Landolfo1, Tolulope Saiki, Janet Peacock

  • 1King's College London, MRC Asthma Centre, Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, Brunel University, London, UK.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|July 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

The Hering-Breuer reflex, crucial for infant breathing, is stronger in the prone position compared to supine. This difference is linked to increased lung volumes when infants are prone.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Respiratory control mechanisms
  • Infant respiratory health

Background:

  • The Hering-Breuer reflex plays a vital role in regulating breathing patterns in infants.
  • Understanding factors influencing this reflex is crucial for managing respiratory distress in premature infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how infant position (supine vs. prone) affects the strength of the Hering-Breuer reflex.
  • To determine if observed differences in reflex strength correlate with changes in lung volumes.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective observational study involving 18 premature infants (median gestational age 30 weeks).
  • Infants were assessed in both supine and prone positions for 2 hours each.
  • The Hering-Breuer reflex strength was measured via expiratory prolongation after inspiratory occlusion, alongside tidal volume and functional residual capacity (FRC) measurements.

Main Results:

  • The Hering-Breuer reflex was significantly stronger in the prone position compared to the supine position (P = 0.01).
  • Functional residual capacity (FRC) was also significantly higher in the prone position (P < 0.0001).
  • A significant correlation was found between position-related differences in reflex strength and FRC (P = 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • The Hering-Breuer reflex is demonstrably stronger in premature infants when they are in the prone position.
  • These findings suggest that increased lung volumes, specifically higher functional residual capacity, in the prone position contribute to the enhanced reflex strength.
Abstract

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