Metabolic Rate and O2 Consumption in Newborns during Different States of Vigilance

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Abstract
In 135 asymptomatic newborn infants, 1–53 days of age, body weight 1,820–4,120 g, indirect calometry was performed. According to the state of wakefulness the infants showed during the testing procedure, they were divided into four groups of vigilance (V1–V4). Metabolic rate and oxygen consumption showed similar results between groups V1, V2 and V3 (deep sleep; REM sleep; wakefulness with no muscular activity). V4 infants (with muscular activity) had a higher metabolic rate and O2 consumption. Correlation between metabolic rate and body surface area is similar in V2 and V3 but shows a steeper slope in the V1 group. It is speculated that central regulatory mechanisms may account for this difference.