SERIAL LUNG-VOLUME MEASUREMENTS DURING THE PERINATAL-PERIOD IN INFANTS WITH ABDOMINAL-WALL DEFECTS

Methods: Daily measurements of lung volume (functional residual capaci ty, FRC) were made during the perinatal period in eight infants (media n gestational age, 37 weeks; range, 34 to 38 weeks) with abdominal wal l defects. Results: On the first day of life and before surgical inter vention, four infants had FRCs below the reference range; the occurren ce of low lung volumes was not significantly related to gestational ag e or diagnosis. Lung volume was further, but only temporarily, impaire d by surgical closure of the abdominal wall defect, with a reduction i n the median FRC from 25 mL/kg (range, 18 to 36) preoperatively to 12 mL/kg (range, 5 to 19) on the first postoperative day (P <.02). Conclu sion: These data are consistent with abnormal antenatal lung growth in certain infants with abdominal wall defects. Copyright (C) 1998 by W. B. Saunders Company.