RESPIRATORY MUSCLE FUNCTION IN INFANTS

In newborns and infants a variety of respiratory disorders lead to ven tilatory failure, In early life the ventilatory response to loaded bre athing is limited. The risk factors of ventilatory failure are related to the developing respiratory pump because of the immaturity of the c hest wall, respiratory muscles and coupling between thoracic and abdom inal movements, Assessment of respiratory muscle function in infants i s limited, due to the objections to using invasive techniques, However , measurement of airway pressures during crying may provide an index o f respiratory muscle strength in infants. Real-time ultrasonography al lows investigation of diaphragmatic movements, Pattern of thoracoabdom inal motion can be assessed using uncalibrated respiratory inductive p lethysmography, Finally, electromyographic recording of respiratory mu scles by surface electrodes is of clinical usefulness during sleep stu dies.