Effect of Intermittent Hypoxemia and Hyperoxemia during the Neonatal Period on Control of Breathing Function among Infants Born Extremely Preterm

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the association between intermittent hypoxemia (IH) and hyperoxemia (HOX) during the first 28 days with peripheral and central chemoreception at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age among infants born extremely preterm.

Study design

For this observational study, 52 infants born at 23-28 weeks of gestational age were enrolled. Mean daily IH frequency (arterial oxygen saturation <80% for ≥10 seconds) and percent of time in HOX (arterial oxygen saturation ≥98% while the fraction of inspired oxygen was >0.21) were calculated for the first 28 days of life. At 36 weeks of postmenstrual age, respiratory control tests assessed peripheral chemoreception by ventilatory response to 100% O₂ for 30 seconds in which decreased ventilation caused by inhibition of peripheral chemoreceptors reflects their contribution to respiratory drive. Central chemoreception was evaluated by ventilatory response to 4% inspired CO₂ for 10 minutes.

Results

Multivariable generalized linear models showed increasing IH and HOX were independently associated with an attenuated ventilatory response to 100% O₂ at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. IH and HOX were not significantly associated with an attenuated ventilatory response to CO₂.

Conclusions

In these infants born extremely preterm, neonatal IH and HOX were independently associated with attenuated peripheral chemoreception at near-term corrected age. This may reflect reduced peripheral chemoreceptor oxygen sensitivity and may be in part responsible for persistence of respiratory instability in infants born preterm. Neonatal IH or HOX were not associated with reduced central chemoreception.