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Biomedical subjects

G Sedin

Publications and source records attributed to G Sedin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Endotracheal intubation influences respiratory water loss during heat stress in young lambs.

To study the effect of intubation on respiratory water loss (RWL) during heat stress, 10 young nonsedated lambs were exposed to radiative heat stress both when intubated and when not. RWL, oxygen consumption (VO2), and carbon dioxide production were monitored continuously by using a flow-through system with a mass spectrometer for gas analysis. When the lambs were not intubated, heat stress caused RWL to increase by 218%, whereas VO2 and body temperature remained unchanged. When the lambs were intubated, heat stress caused RWL to increase by 131% and VO2 to increase by 36%. On extubation during heat stress, RWL increased by 117 +/- 48% (standard error of the estimate) of the preextubation value and body temperature started to fall. This study shows that intubation reduces the ability of the lamb to increase RWL and heat loss during heat stress in a warm environment, possibly as an effect of exclusion of the nose and a reduction in dead space. After extubation, RWL increases markedly, a finding that might also be valid for intubated infants.

Animals↗

Water loss from the skin of term and preterm infants nursed under a radiant heater.

The rate of evaporation from the skin (g/m2/h) was measured in 12 full-term and 16 preterm infants (gestational age 25-34 wk) both during incubator care and when nursed under a radiant heater. The method for evaporation rate measurement is noninvasive and based on determination of the water vapor pressure gradient close to the skin surface. Measurements were first made with the infant nursed in an incubator with a controlled environment with respect to humidity, temperature, and air velocity. The measurements in the term infants were performed at an ambient relative humidity (RH) of 50%, and in the preterm infants first at 50% and subsequently at 30-40%. Evaporation rate was then measured with the infant nursed under a radiant heater. In term infants, mean evaporation rate was 3.3 g/m2/h during incubator care (RH 50%) and 4.4 g/m2/h during care under the radiant heater. In preterm infants, the corresponding values were 15.5 g/m2/h in the incubator at RH 50%, 16.7 g/m2/h at RH 30-40%, and 17.9 g/m2/h under the radiant heater. It is concluded that the evaporative water loss from the skin depends on the ambient water vapor pressure, irrespective of whether the infant is nursed in an incubator or under a radiant heater. The higher rate of evaporation during care under a radiant heater is due to the lower ambient water vapor pressure and not to any direct effect of the nonionizing radiation on the skin.

Air↗

Respiratory water loss and oxygen consumption in full-term infants exposed to cold air on the first day after birth.

Respiratory water loss, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and skin blood flow were measured continuously in nine full-term infants on the first day after birth. After at least 18 min of measurements with the infant asleep in an incubator, with an air temperature of 33 degrees C and a relative humidity of 50%, the temperature of the incubator air was lowered to less than 27.5 degrees C. This resulted in a significant decrease in skin temperature and peripheral skin blood flow, while the infant's core temperature remained unchanged. At the same time, mean respiratory water loss increased from 3.7 to 6.1 mg/kg.min, which can be explained partially by the decrease in ambient humidity that accompanied the decrease in air temperature. In addition, mean oxygen consumption increased from 5.3 to 7.9 ml/kg.min and mean carbon dioxide production increased from 3.8 to 5.9 ml/kg.min. There was no concomitant increase in motor activity. Thus, when the newborn infants were exposed to cool air, they reacted with an increase in respiratory water loss, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production before their core temperature was affected and without increasing their motor activity.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

The temperature of inspired air influences respiratory water loss in young lambs.

The temperature of inspired air influences respiratory water loss (RWL) in young lambs. Water loss from the airways, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were measured using an open flow-through system with a mass spectrometer, specially equipped with a water channel, for gas analysis. Measurements were made in 9 newborn lambs at 3 different inspired air temperatures keeping all other environmental factors stable, including the ambient air temperature. The water content of the inspired air was also kept constant. RWL was found to be 9.9 +/- 3.9 (SD) mg/kg/min when the temperature of the inspired air was 30 degrees C and its humidity 30%. At 40 degrees C this loss increased to 11.5 +/- 3.6 mg/kg/min, and at about 60 degrees C it increased further to 26.0 +/- 8.2 mg/kg/min. The oxygen consumption was 10.0 +/- 0.8 (SD) ml/kg/min at 30 degrees C and 10.4 +/- 2.0 ml/kg/min at 60 degrees C, a change which is not significant. Thus RWL is influenced by the temperature of the inspired air, with greater loss at higher temperatures.

Air↗

Ventilatory techniques in the treatment of newborn infants.

Respiratory insufficiency has previously been a very frequent cause of neonatal death, especially in preterm infants. Since 1970 the introduction of several new ventilatory techniques has made it easier to ventilate even very preterm infants and has resulted in a marked improvement of survival of both term and preterm infants. In order to improve the ventilation in infants with severe lung disease and to lower the incidence of barotrauma, pulmonary air leaks and bronchopulmnary dysplasia, as well as to facilitate weaning from the ventilator and avoid asynchrony between the infant and the ventilator, several further ventilatory techniques have been tested in recent years. In this review ventilatory techniques either in current routine clinical use or under evaluation are presented. New interesting techniques such as liquid ventilation and unloading of resistive and elastic work of breathing are briefly described.

High-Frequency Ventilation↗

Assisted mechanical ventilation using elastic unloading: a study in cats with normal and injured lungs.

Elastic unloading [otherwise known as negative ventilator compliance (Cv) or proportional assist ventilation] is a new mode of assisted mechanical ventilation. The ventilator continuously measures the volume of spontaneous breathing (V) and adjusts the pressure at the airway opening in proportion to V. The quotient of pressure above the baseline end-expiratory level per unit of V (the gain of the assist) is constant at any point in time and can be preset. The apparatus used for this study can also generate elastic loading (positive Cv) by decreasing the pressure at the airway opening in proportion to V. This might be useful during the weaning process. This study compares measured values of total compliance of the combined lung-respirator system (Ctot) with values predicted according to theory, where 1/Ctot = 1/Cv + 1/Cl with Cl being the lung compliance. Respiratory mechanical data were derived from esophageal pressure and airflow in eight anesthetized, intubated, spontaneously breathing cats. Different Cv levels were set on the ventilator both before and after lung injury with xanthine oxidase. The difference (mean +/- SD) between the measured and predicted Ctot was 1.4 +/- 21.4% (healthy lungs) and -11.6 +/- 14.1% (injured lungs) during unloading and 2.5 +/- 7.5% (healthy lungs) during elastic loading. An elevation of Ctot decreased the expiratory airflow. Tidal volume increased slightly in healthy lungs and arterial PCO2 decreased. We conclude that the effects of Cv on the total compliance of the combined lung-respirator system can accurately be predicted.

Airway Resistance↗

A protocol for structured observation of motor performance in preterm and term infants. Interobserver agreement and intraobserver consistency.

A new protocol for structured observation of motor performance, for use both in term and preterm infants, has been tested regarding interobserver agreement and intraobserver consistency. Ten different motor items are assessed concerning the developmental level as described in the protocol. Any deviations from the description of the level are noted. The two main observers twice reassessed video recordings of 17 infants who had primarily been assessed by them both in an ongoing follow-up study. The two observers arrived at the same level of development in 75% of the observed items at the first reassessment and in 81% at the second, and agreed concerning deviation in 73 and 79% of the observations at the two reassessments, respectively. Each observer arrived at the same level of development at all three assessments in 62% of the observed items. Thus when used by these two observers the protocol has an acceptable degree of interobserver agreement and intraobserver consistency.

Clinical Protocols↗

Comparison of prophylaxis and rescue treatment with Curosurf in neonates less than 30 weeks' gestation: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the immediate effects of prophylactic administration of Curosurf and to compare outcomes after prophylactic or expectant management. STUDY DESIGN: Porcine surfactant (Curosurf, 200 mg/kg body weight) was administered intratracheally within 10 minutes of birth to preterm neonates with a gestational age of 26 to 29 weeks (n = 75); rescue-eligible neonates (n = 72) were initially subjected to a sham maneuver. The primary end points of the trial, evaluated at the age of 6 hours, were to obtain (1) a 40% decrease in the ratio between transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPO2) (kPa) and fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2), and (2) a 50% decrease in the incidence of radiologically verified respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). After 6 to 24 hours, a similar dose of surfactant was given to the neonates of both the prophylaxis and the rescue-eligible group, if they needed mechanical ventilation with an FIO2 > or = 0.6. RESULTS: At 6 hours the prophylaxis group had, in comparison with the rescue-eligible group, significantly higher tcPO2/FIO2 ratios (mean +/- SD: 39.7 +/- 15.3 vs 28.1 +/- 18.1; P < .001) and less severe RDS by radiological scoring (chi 2 = 14.9; P = .005). Severe RDS was present in 19% of the prophylactically treated neonates versus 32% in the rescue-eligible group (P < .05). The prophylaxis group needed shorter periods of FIO2 > 0.40 than the rescue-eligible neonates (P < .01), and eight neonates of the prophylaxis group (11%) versus 23 of the rescue-eligible group (32%) qualified for rescue treatment with surfactant in the interval 6 to 24 hours (P < .01). There were no differences in the incidence or severity of pneumothorax, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, cerebral hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, patent ductus arteriosus, in the duration of mechanical ventilation or time in supplemental oxygen, or in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Subgroup analysis revealed (1) that administration of corticosteroids reduced the risk of developing neonatal RDS as effectively as did surfactant prophylaxis at birth, and (2) that prophylaxis was effective especially in neonates with gestational age < 28 weeks or birth weight < 1000 g, in male neonates, and in neonates who had received no antenatal treatment with corticosteroids. Our data indicate that prophylactic treatment with surfactant should be considered in high-risk neonates fulfilling these latter criteria.

Biological Products↗

Insensible water loss from the skin during phototherapy in term and preterm infants.

The rate of evaporation from the skin was measured before and during phototherapy in 10 full-term and seven preterm infants (gestational age 29-33 weeks). The method for measurement of rate of evaporation was non-invasive and was based on determination of the water vapour pressure gradient close to the skin surface. All infants were studied naked in an incubator with an ambient relative humidity of 50% and with a controlled environment with respect to temperature and air velocity. In the term infants the mean rate of evaporation, measured from an interscapular skin area, was 3.1 g/m2h both before and after 30 min of phototherapy. In the preterm infants the corresponding value was 9.8 g/m2h before and 9.7 g/m2h after 120 min of phototherapy. Thus, in thermally stable infants, non-ionizing radiation from phototherapy equipment does not increase water loss from the skin.

Body Temperature↗

Respiratory water loss and oxygen consumption in newborn infants during phototherapy.

Respiratory water loss was measured together with oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) in 11 full-term and eight preterm infants (mean gestational age 34 weeks, range 31-36 weeks) before and during 1 h of phototherapy. The method for determination of respiratory water loss, VO2 and VCO2 was based on an open flow-through system with a mass spectrometer for measurement of gas concentrations. All infants were studied naked in an incubator with an ambient relative humidity of 50% and with a controlled environment with respect to temperature and air velocity. The infants were calm during the measurements. Before phototherapy, in term infants respiratory water loss was 4.4 (SD 0.7) mg/kg min and VO2 5.9 (0.9) ml/kg min and in preterm infants respiratory water loss was 4.7 (0.8) mg/kg min and VO2 6.1 (0.8) ml/kg min. No significant difference was found between values obtained during or after 1 h of phototherapy and those obtained before.

Body Temperature↗

Airway pressures during positive pressure ventilation with superimposed oscillations before and after lung injury in the cat.

This study was made to determine how oscillations superimposed on intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) influence the arterial blood gases, pH and the airway pressures during adequate alveolar ventilation i.e. at inhibition of inspiratory activity, before and after experimentally induced lung injury in the anaesthetized cat. Two IPPV frequencies were studied. The lung was injured by instillation of xanthine oxidase into the upper airways during IPPV. The peak, mean and end-expiratory intrapleural and airway (intratracheal) pressures at two levels were measured and the arterial blood gases and pH were determined at inhibition of inspiratory activity with and without superimposition of oscillations on the ventilatory pattern. Before lung injury, superimposed oscillations lowered the airway pressures only at an IPPV rate of 15 breaths per minute (b.p.m.). After lung injury, such oscillations increased the airway pressures only at 15 b.p.m. The airway pressures were always lower at 60 than at 15 b.p.m.

Acid-Base Imbalance↗

Assessment of speech and language skills in children.

A speech and language assessment procedure was developed to study different aspects of speech and language skills in children 6.5 years old who had needed intensive care in the neonatal period. It was required that the procedure could be carried out at one examination session and that it should characterize a broad spectrum of language skills and permit detection of deviations in language development. The assessment comprises three parts. Part A is an evaluation of the child's spontaneous speech during a 10- to 15-minute conversation between the child and the assessor. Eight different variables are assessed, and an overview of the child's conversational behaviour is obtained. Part B is an assessment of speech and language skills. A set procedure is used to assess auditory discrimination, interaction between auditory and speech motor capacity, different comprehension functions, vocabulary and word fluency. Some motor tasks are included to elucidate the relationship between speech and non-linguistic fine motor activity. Part C is an interview with the parents. A control group of 40 children was tested. The assessment protocol is now being applied for follow-up examination of children who have needed neonatal intensive care at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.

Child↗

Spread of Klebsiella in a neonatal ward.

The colonization of infants with Klebsiella pneumoniae was prospectively studied. Samples were taken from nose, throat, umbilicus and rectum on the day of arrival and thereafter once a week. Phage typing was performed the first time K. pneumoniae was found at any of these sites. Settle plates were exposed in the incubators and in the patient rooms 5 h/day. The study lasted for 32 weeks. The first 15 weeks was a control period with no information to the staff, the following 4 weeks was a period of intervention and education and the last 13 weeks was a second control period. In all, 603 infants were investigated. The number of infants nursed per week and severity of their disease was comparable in the 3 periods. The colonization rates were 65, 34 and 58%, respectively. The acquisition of new strains was 1.4 per infant in the first and last periods, but only 0.4 in the period of intervention. Thus, colonization rates decreased only during the period of continuous education in hygiene.

Air Microbiology↗

Does non-ionizing radiant energy affect determination of the evaporation rate by the gradient method?

A study was performed to investigate whether measurements of the evaporation rate from the skin of newborn infants by the gradient method are affected by the presence of non-ionizing radiation from phototherapy equipment or a radiant heater. The evaporation rate was measured experimentally with the measuring sensors either exposed to or protected from non-ionizing radiation. Either blue light (phototherapy) or infrared light (radiant heater) was used; in the former case the evaporation rate was measured from a beaker of water covered with a semipermeable membrane, and in the latter case from the hand of an adult subject, aluminium foil or with the measuring probe in the air. No adverse effect on the determinations of the evaporation rate was found in the presence of blue light. Infrared radiation caused an error of 0.8 g/m2h when the radiant heater was set at its highest effect level or when the ambient humidity was high. At low and moderate levels the observed evaporation rate was not affected. It is concluded that when clinical measurements are made from the skin of newborn infants nursed under a radiant heater, the evaporation rate can appropriately be determined by the gradient method.

Adult↗

The effect of a warm environment on respiratory water loss in fullterm newborn infants on their first day after birth.

Continuous measurements of respiratory water loss (RWL), oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were made in 21 fullterm infants on their first day after birth. The infants were first studied in incubators with a temperature of 32.5 degrees C and an ambient humidity of 50%. After an interval with stable conditions the incubator temperature was raised to 36.5 degrees C while the water vapour pressure was kept constant. When the rectal temperature had increased to 37.8 degrees C or when the infant had started to sweat, the relative humidity in the incubator was increased to 50%. At the start of the measurements mean RWL was 4.9 mg/kg min. On the average, RWL increased to a maximal value of 7.0 mg/kg min in the warm environment. Mean oxygen consumption only increased from 5.3 to 5.8 ml/kg min. This meant that when nursed in this warm environment the infants were able to increase their respiratory water loss by nearly 50% without a significant change in oxygen consumption.

Body Temperature↗