RESPIRATORY PATTERNS IN NEWBORN INFANTS AS DETERMINED BY AIRFLOW AND PNEUMOGRAPHIC STUDIES AND THEIR POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP TO A DEFICIENT VAGAL MECHANISM

Abstract
Pneumographic tracings of the movements of the upper chest, lower chest, and abdomen were recorded by means of electronic equipment in 70 newborn infants. In the first 24 hrs. the inspiratory and expiratory movements were parallel and tended to be synchronous. It is postulated that diaphragmatic breathing is not completely established at birth. Inability to develop adequate diaphragmatic contractions may be a factor in many neonatal deaths. There may be a poorly developed vagal mechanism.