Adverse respiratory patterns in near-term spontaneously breathing newborn lambs with elevated airway liquid volumes at birth

• DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1336154
• Publication Date: 2024-04-16T04:59:12Z
• Authors: I. M. Davies; K. J. Crossley; E. V. McGillick; I. Nitsos; K. Rodgers; A. Thiel; V. A. Zahra; S. Badurdeen; A. B. te Pas; S. B. Hooper
• Keywords: Respiratory Rate

Introduction Recent evidence indicates that respiratory distress (RD) in near-term infants is caused by elevated airway liquid (EL) volume at the beginning of air-breathing after birth. While adverse effects EL volumes on newborn lung function are known, control and breathing patterns shortly birth (<4 h) unknown. We investigated cardiorespiratory spontaneously lambs first hours Methods At 137–8 days gestation (2–3 prior to delivery; term ∼147 days), sterile surgery was performed fetal sheep ( n = 17) implant catheters blood flow probes. 140 days, were delivered via caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Airway adjusted mimic level expected following vaginal delivery (∼10 ml/kg; Controls; 7), or elective (∼30 group; EL; 10). Spontaneous parameters recorded over four Non-invasive support with supplemental oxygen provided if required. Results required higher inspired levels p 0.0002), less active 0.026), fed 0.008) had morbidity scores than Controls < 0.0001). also displayed rates associated RD, such as expiratory braking tachypnoea. These particularly evident male who severe (e.g., braking) female lambs. Conclusion The study demonstrates trigger behaviour resemble clinically recognised features RD infants.