An intercostal-phrenic inhibitory reflex in human newborn infants

An effect of phasic distortion of the rib cage on inspiratory time was studied in thirty sleeping newborn infants. Distortion was produced by both manual compression of various rib cage diameters, and by occluding the airway at functional residual capacity, allowing diaphragmatic contraction to alter rib cage shape. With rapid distortion produced by these maneuvers, inspiration was often terminated prematurely. The effect was dependent upon there being a rapid rate of distortion, and was most readily elicited when inward motion involved the lower lateral rib cage. The results indicate a potent inspiratory inhibitory reflex, originating most probably from the spindles of intercostal muscles. This reflex acts to decrease tidal volume and ventilation when rates of rib cage retraction are high during spontaneous breathing.