BREATHING PATTERN AND TRANS-CUTANEOUS OXYGEN-TENSION DURING MOTOR-ACTIVITY IN PRETERM INFANTS

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Abstract
Breathing pattern and transcutaneous O2 tension (TcPO2) were studied during episodes of sustained generalized motor activity in 18 hospitalized preterm [human] infants. A newly developed quantitative method was used for assessing minute ventilation infants during vigorous motor activity. Respiratory air flow, tidal volume, esophageal pressure, TcPO2 and electromyograms of various muscle groups were recorded. A distinctive pattern of breathing (exertional breathing pattern) that was invariably associated with episodes of squirming motor activity was observed. This breathing pattern is characterized by reduced minute volume, intermittent Valsaiva maneuvers and obstructed inspiratory effects (obstructive apnea). Episodes of squirming with the accompanying altered breathing pattern were usually followed by a decrease in TcPO2. These episodes occurred spontaneously or could be induced by sensory stimulation. They appear to be a significant cause of obstructive apnea and TcPO2 instability in hospitalized preterm infants and were responsible for 30% of sudden decreases in TcPO2 of .gtoreq. 10 mm Hg.