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Augmentation of respiratory muscle activities in preterm infants with feeding desaturation

Dong Rak Kwon1, Gi Young Park1, Ji Eun Jeong2

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.

Korean Journal of Pediatrics
|April 10, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants show increased respiratory muscle activity during feeding compared to full-term infants. This heightened activity, measured by electromyography, was inversely correlated with gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar scores.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Respiratory mechanics

Background:

  • Immature suck-swallow-breathing coordination in preterm infants leads to frequent desaturation.
  • Feeding desaturation can negatively impact organ development and pulmonary function in neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare respiratory muscle activity during feeding between preterm and full-term infants.
  • To investigate the relationship between respiratory muscle activity and clinical variables in infants experiencing feeding desaturation.

Main Methods:

  • Electromyography (EMG) was used to quantify respiratory muscle activity (RMS values of diaphragm and rectus abdominis).
  • Oromotor function was assessed via video recording.
  • Nineteen preterm infants with feeding desaturation were compared to 19 age-matched full-term infants.

Main Results:

  • Preterm infants exhibited significantly greater RMS values for the diaphragm and rectus abdominis compared to full-term infants.
  • Lower Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were observed in preterm infants.
  • Respiratory muscle activity (RMS-D and RMS-R) showed an inverse correlation with gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar scores.

Conclusions:

  • Respiratory muscle activity is augmented during feeding in preterm infants relative to full-term infants.
  • Increased respiratory effort during feeding in preterm infants is associated with poorer clinical indicators.
Abstract

Keywords:
Feeding desaturationPreterm infantsRespiratory muscles

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