Minimal Rates of Oxygen Consumption in Sick and Premature Newborn Infants

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Abstract
Minimal rates of O2 consumption were measured in 115 premature and term babies, usually at several different ages, making a total of over 350 measurements. The changes in minimal rates of O2 consumption with age, length of gestation, size, and clinical conditions are reported, and some of the factors affecting these rates examined in more detail. All babies have a minimal rate of O2 consumption of about 4.6 ml/kg min. in the first hours of life. Thereafter, there is a rise in rate, but the magnitude and timing of the rise vary. In babies of more than 36 weeks'' gestation the rise occurs within 24 hours. In "small for dates" babies the rise occurs at the 3rd to 4th day, after which many such babies have high rates of O2 consumption. In premature babies the rise occurs more gradually over a period of days or wekks. Body temperature, depth of sleep, hypoglycemia, hyper-bilirubinemia, and hypothyroidism all affect minimal rates of O2 consumption.