Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 22, 2026

A Swine Model of Neonatal Asphyxia
10:36

A Swine Model of Neonatal Asphyxia

Published on: October 11, 2011

Changes in resistance and ventilatory timing that accompany apnea in premature infants

M J Miller1, T G Petrie, J M Difiore

  • 1Department of Pediatric and Medicine, Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|August 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Apnea in premature infants involves changes in breathing patterns and airway resistance. Respiratory mechanics and ventilatory timing return to normal quickly after apnea resolves.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Premature infants frequently experience apnea, characterized by pauses in breathing.
  • Understanding respiratory mechanics during apnea is crucial for infant respiratory support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze changes in respiratory mechanics and ventilatory timing during apnea in premature infants.
  • To investigate the dynamics of upper airway and pulmonary resistance before, during, and after apneic events.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of 36 apneas in 13 premature infants (postconceptional age 34 ± 3 wk).
  • Continuous measurement of nasal airflow and airway pressures (esophageal, pharyngeal, nasal mask).
  • Determination of inspiratory time (TI), expiratory time (TE), tidal volume (VT), total pulmonary resistance (RT), and supraglottic resistance (Rs).

Main Results:

  • Before apnea, expiratory time (TE) and total pulmonary resistance (RT) increased.
  • Immediately post-apnea, inspiratory time (TI), RT, and supraglottic resistance (Rs) increased, indicating upper airway instability.
  • Within two breaths post-apnea resolution, RT and Rs normalized, showing rapid recovery.

Conclusions:

  • Apnea in premature infants is associated with transient increases in respiratory resistance.
  • Ventilatory and resistance changes during apnea resemble those seen in periodic breathing.
  • Rapid recovery of respiratory mechanics suggests effective compensatory mechanisms in resolving apnea.

More Related Videos

A Model to Simulate Clinically Relevant Hypoxia in Humans09:54

A Model to Simulate Clinically Relevant Hypoxia in Humans

Published on: December 22, 2016

Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation07:15

Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation

Published on: December 5, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I01:26

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I

Assessing the respiratory rate and rhythm for a complete minute is crucial for evaluating the breathing pattern. Even a minor increase in the patient's average respiratory rate, by as little as three to five breaths per minute, is an early and vital indicator of respiratory distress. Patients with a respiratory rate exceeding twenty-four breaths per minute require close monitoring to determine the physiological alterations. This careful observation is essential for prompt recognition and...
Alterations in Respiration II01:30

Alterations in Respiration II

There are numerous types of normal and abnormal respiration. Based on ventilatory movements, breathing patterns are classified as regular, deep, or shallow. Examples include Biot's breathing, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, Kussmaul's breathing, hyperventilation, and hypoventilation. Each pattern is clinically significant and aids in evaluating patients.
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes include...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation01:23

Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation

Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) are essential methods in respiratory care. These ventilation techniques offer unique benefits for patients with various respiratory conditions, providing adequate support without requiring intubation. Let's explore how each method is crucial in improving patient outcomes and enhancing respiratory therapy.
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV)
Ventilatory Modes01:14

Ventilatory Modes

Mechanical ventilators are life-saving devices that support or replace spontaneous breathing. They deliver breaths to patients through varying methods known as ventilator modes. Understanding these modes is critical for healthcare providers managing patients with respiratory failure.
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...