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 infan ts 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 incu bator air was lowered to less than 27.5 degrees C. This resulted in a significant decrease in skin temperature and peripheral skin blood flo w, 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 o xygen 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 c oncomitant 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 t heir core temperature was affected and without increasing their motor activity.