Effects of the dead space apparatus on compartments volume and configuration of chest wall in infants

<bold>Abstract:</bold> Premature birth impairments postnatal lung function and leads preterm infants breathing with different strategies to new environmental conditions. Three compartments chest wall volume and configuration between term and preterm infants performed by Opto-Electronic Plethysmography (OEP) and pneumotachograph (PNT) are unknown. <bold>Aim:</bold> To compare the effects of dead space apparatus on tidal breathing and three compartments chest wall volume between term and preterm healthy infants at 3-4 months PMA. <bold>Material and Methods:</bold> Cross-sectional study was performed in term and preterm healthy infants at 3-4 months post menstrual age, by OEP and PNT with facial mask during natural sleep. <bold>Results:</bold> Among 47 term and preterm healthy infants (term=23 and preterm=24), with gestational age (31.9 ± 2.7 and 38.7 ±0.9 weeks), post menstrual age (PMA) (3.55±0.73 and 3.53±0.74 months) compared pulmonary rib cage (VTRCp), abdominal rib cage (VTRCa), and abdomen (VTAB) compartments chest wall volume (VT) and end expiratory volume percentage (%EEV) performed by OEP with and without PNT. Effect of PNT placement in term infants showed higher VT, VTRca , VTAB and %EEVRcp. Preterm infants showed higher VT, VTRcp and VTAB, lower %EEVRcp, higher %EEVAB. Without PNT preterm infants showed higher %EEVRcp, lower %EEVRca and higher VTAB. Low birth weight and test weight in preterm infants was associated with lower %EEVRca, and higher %EEVRcp and %EEVAB. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Volumes and configuration of compartments chest wall are different between term and preterm infants with and without PNT. Immaturity, low birth weight and test weight influenced preterm infants delay to catch up diaphragm activity.