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Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording
Published on: November 19, 2015
Regulation of breathing at birth
1Division of Perinatology, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Developmental Physiology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Newborns initiate breathing at birth due to sensory stimulation and rising carbon dioxide levels. Withdrawal of a placental inhibitor also helps maintain breathing as sensory input decreases.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Physiology
- Respiratory Regulation
Background:
- The transition to lung gas exchange at birth is critical for neonatal survival.
- Factors initiating and maintaining respiration in newborns are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the regulatory mechanisms of the transition to lung gas exchange in newborns.
- To investigate the roles of sensory stimulation, chemoreceptors, and placental factors in initiating and sustaining neonatal breathing.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental findings on neonatal respiratory initiation.
- Analysis of physiological responses to sensory stimuli (e.g., cooling, nerve stimulation).
- Consideration of chemoreceptor and placental inhibitor roles in respiratory control.
Main Results:
- Sensory stimulation from labor and delivery rapidly initiates breathing.
- Increased arterial PCO2 and decreased pH stimulate breathing via central chemoreceptors.
- Placental perfusion may inhibit fetal respiration, with withdrawal aiding postnatal breathing.
Conclusions:
- Sensory stimuli and CO2-mediated chemoreceptor activation are key to initiating newborn breathing.
- Withdrawal of a placental respiratory inhibitor is crucial for sustained breathing after initial stimuli subside.
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