PEDIATRICS Vol. 37 No. 4 April 1966, pp. 565-576
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OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN NORMAL NEWBORN INFANTS DURING MODERATE HYPOXIA IN WARM AND COOL ENVIRONMENTS

K. W. Cross D.Sc., F.R.C.P.1, D. M. Flynn M.B., Ch.B., D.C.H.1, and June R. Hill B.Sc., M.B., B.S.1

1 Department of Physiology (Medical Research Council Research Group on Respiration and Energy Metabolism in the Newborn), The London Hospital Medical College

The oxygen consumption of 20 normal newborn babies was measured using a closed-circuit apparatus with good time-resolution in which the environmental temperature could be closely controlled. In each baby the oxygen consumption while breathing air was compared with the value obtained a few minutes later while breathing 15% oxygen in nitrogen or vice versa. Five babies were examined in a warm environment while naked: some of these were included in the total of 18 babies who were examined in a cool environment, of these 6 were naked and 12 were clothed.

In a warm environment oxygen consumption values were the same whether air or 15% oxygen was breathed.

From 6 naked babies in a cool environment 10 measurements of oxygen consumption were obtained, breathing first air, then 15% oxygen. The mean value breathing air did not differ significantly from that obtained when 15% oxygen was breathed. In a further 12 babies who were in a cool environment but clothed 18 oxygen consumption measurements (air then 15% oxygen) were obtained; again there was no significant difference between the means.

Sixteen additional measurements of oxygen consumption were obtained while the babies were breathing air after 15% oxygen. The mean value was not significantly different from the mean value when breathing 15% oxygen or the mean value in the preceding period breathing air.

It was concluded that breathing 15% oxygen did not depress the oxygen consumption of babies either in a warm environment or a cool one; however, babies in a cool environment were subjected to only a mild degree of cold stimulus, and the metabolic response thus produced was fairly small.

This work failed to confirm earlier reports that 15% oxygen did depress oxygen consumption in newborn babies in a cool environment. Possible reasons for the discrepancy are discussed.

Submitted on June 21, 1965
Accepted on October 20, 1965




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