Respiratory Water Loss in Relation to Activity in Fullterm Infants on Their First Day after Birth |
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Authors: | T. RIESENFELD K. HAMMARLUND G. SEDIN |
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Affiliation: | Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT. Respiratory water loss (RWL), oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were measured in ten fullterm infants on their first day after birth, using an open flow-through system with a mass spectrometer, specially equipped with a water channel, for analysis of gas concentrations. Measurements were made both with the infant asleep and during different levels of motor activity. The ambient temperature was maintained at approximately 32.5°C and the ambient relative humidity at 50%. RWL increased from 4.2±0.7 (SD) mg/kg min when the infant was asleep to 6.3±1.0 mg/kg min when he or she was awake but calm; with increasing activity there was a further increase in RWL. The oxygen consumption increased from 5.4±0.9 (SD) ml/kg min during sleep to 6.9±0.8 (SD) ml/kg min when awake, and also increased further with increasing activity. |
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Keywords: | respiratory water loss oxygen consumption newborn infants motor activity |
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