Premium
Hering–Breuer reflex, lung volume and position in prematurely born infants
Author(s) -
Landolfo Francesca,
Saiki Tolulope,
Peacock Janet,
Hannam Simon,
Rafferty Gerrard F.,
Greenough Anne
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.20855
Subject(s) - supine position , medicine , reflex , expiration , functional residual capacity , lung volumes , anesthesia , tidal volume , gestational age , lung , respiratory system , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Objectives To investigate the effect of position on the strength of the Hering–Breuer reflex in prematurely born infants and determine whether any differences seen were related to differences in lung or tidal volume between positions. Working Hypothesis Position related differences in the strength of the Hering–Breuer reflex relate to differences in lung or tidal volume. Study Design Prospective observational study. Patient/Subject Selection Eighteen infants, median gestational age 30 (range 25–32) weeks were studied. Methodology Infants were examined in the supine and prone position, each position was maintained for 2 hr. At the end of each 2‐hr period, the strength of the Hering–Breuer reflex was assessed by determining the prolongation of expiration following an end inspiratory occlusion. In addition, tidal volume and functional residual capacity (FRC) were assessed in each position. Results The strength of the Hering–Breuer reflex was greater ( P = 0.01) and the mean FRC was higher ( P < 0.0001) in the prone compared to the supine position. The position related differences in the strength of the reflex correlated significantly with position related differences in FRC ( P = 0.05). Conclusions The Hering–Breuer reflex is stronger in the prone compared to the supine position. Our results suggest this is explained by position related differences in lung volume. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:767–771. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.