Control of respiration in newborn babies. I. The development of the Hering-Breuer inflation reflex.

Abstract

SummaryThe Hering‐Breuer inflation reflex has been studied in babies of varying postmenstrual ages. The strength of the reflex was assessed by relating the relative increase of the length of the breathing cycle to the transpulmonary pressure when the airway was occluded.The Hering‐Breuer inflation reflex was found to be very weak at a postmenstrual age of 32 weeks. It was then found to increase to a maximum strength at a postmenstrual age of 36 to 38 weeks. Later on there was a decline of the strength of the reflex.The significance of the findings in relation to the frequent occurrence of periodic and irregular respiratory rhythm in infants of low gestational age has been discussed.