[Clinical use of respiration biomechanics measurements in newborns]

The aim of the study was to assess the clinical usefulness of lung mechanics measurement in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. Total respiratory system compliance (Crs) by occlusion technique has been measured in 49 pre-term and in 13 fullterm newborns. All measurements were performed during quiet sleep, newborns were shortly disconnected from respirator and breathed through Fleisch "0". During measurements heart rate and saturation were continuously monitored. Airway pressure was measured downstream of pneumotachometer, occlusions were manually performed. Significantly lower mean Crs values were found in newborns treated with IPPV and IMV in comparison with spontaneously breathing extubated newborns and treated by CPAP. Significantly lower Crs values were found in newborns requiring higher oxygen concentrations in comparison with low oxygen dependent. The results show that newborns with respiratory distress syndrome may be clinically well characterised by Crs value.