THORACIC GAS VOLUME CHANGES IN PREMATURE INFANTS

The study indicates extensive pulmonary abnormality in clinically non-distressed premature infants, most likely due to persistent atelectasis or partially aerated alveoli, and suggests that the infant attempts to correct this abnormality by frequent periodic hyperinflations or sighs.

Abstract

Serial measurements of thoracic gas volume and arterial oxygen tension in a group of small premature infants are reported. The study demonstrated that when thoracic gas volume reached levels for normal, full-term infants arterial oxygen tension approached full-term values. The study indicates extensive pulmonary abnormality in clinically non-distressed premature infants, most likely due to persistent atelectasis or partially aerated alveoli. Observations suggest that the infant attempts to correct this abnormality by frequent periodic hyperinflations or sighs.