Halothane anesthesia reduces pulmonary function in the newborn lamb

To study the effects of anesthesia on respiratory function of the neonate, the authors investigated the effect of breathing 100% oxygen and of breathing oxygen plus 0.75 MAC halothane on functional residual capacity, lung and airway resistance, expired minute volume, work of breathing, lung compliance, and blood gases and pH in nine 5-8-day-old, 4.6-7.7-kg lambs. Breathing 100% oxygen increased PaO2 but had no effect on PaCO2, minute ventilation, or lung mechanics. Three-fourths MAC halothane depressed minute ventilation 34% +/- 13% (P less than 0.05) and increased PaCO2 50% +/- 5% (P less than 0.05). Lung and airway resistance increased 59% +/- 26% (P less than 0.05); work of breathing decreased (P less than 0.05); and lung compliance was unchanged. Functional residual capacity was reduced 32% +/- 6% (P less than 0.05), which may be due to loss of diaphragm and intercostal muscle function and to an inability to take deep breaths. The authors conclude that 0.75 MAC halothane significantly impairs the pulmonary function of lambs who breathe spontaneously. Similar changes in human infants could account for the hypoxemia and hypercarbia that often are seen during anesthesia.