Respiratory Water Loss in Fullterm Infants on Their First Day after Birth |
| |
Authors: | T. RIESENFELD K. HAMMARLUND G. SEDIN |
| |
Affiliation: | Department of Paediatrics, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden |
| |
Abstract: | ABSTRACT. Measurements of water loss from the airways, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were made in 12 fullterm, newborn infants on their first day after birth, using an open flow-through system. The system includes a mass spectrometer, specially equipped with a water channel, for analysis of gas concentrations. To avoid condensation of water vapour, the tubing in the flow-through system is heated. Respiratory water loss was 4.9±1.2 (SD) mg/kg min, which meant an insensible water loss from the respiratory tract of 25.4±6.9 (SD) g per infant and 24 h at rest, at an ambient temperature of 32.2°C and with an ambient humidity of 50%. Oxygen consumption was 6.0±0.8 (SD) ml/kg min. An inverse relationship was found between respiratory water loss and ambient humidity, with higher losses at a low than at a high humidity. Oxygen consumption did not change very much with ambient humidity. |
| |
Keywords: | respiratory water loss oxygen consumption newborn infants |
|
|