Abstract
Peripheral blood flow (PBF) measurements can be used as an index of autonomic control. Tilting from a recumbent position should produce an increase in PBF in dependent limbs by gravitational effects but for vasoconstrictive effects mediated by autonomic baroreceptors. Non-invasive venous occlusion plethysmography using an air-filled latex cuff was used to detect PBF changes following tilting in a group of 17 infants: 12 under 1500 gm. at birth, 8 of whom had HMD as determined by x-ray, blood gas, and lung volume measurements, and 5 healthy term infants >2500 gms. Serial studies were performed at birth and at weekly intervals. Presence of baroreceptor activity was determined by tilting the infant to a 450 angle, head up, and measuring PBF at 15”,30”,and 60”, and 1 min. intervals for 5’. A fall in PBF determined by the rate of change in limb volume after venous occlusion suggests an intact baroreceptor reflex. Percent change from control:
The greater fall in PBF in premature and some sick premature infants, the rise in PBF with tilting in other sick infants suggest lack of autonomic control of PBF in these infants. This lack may influence their adaptation to extrauterine life and their response to illness.
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Waldman, S., Auld, P. & Krauss, A. AUTONOMIC CONTROL IN NEWBORN INFANTS. Pediatr Res 8, 452 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00672
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00672
