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Pulmonary Mechanics and Energetics

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Manual of Neonatal Respiratory Care

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Abstract

Lung function is often compromised in preterm infants because of structural (lung parenchyma, airways, chest wall) and sometimes biochemical (surfactant deficiency) immaturity of the respiratory system. This can result in significant alterations in pulmonary mechanics, a low functional residual capacity (FRC), and an increased work of breathing (WOB). Clinically, this will translate into impaired gas exchange and (the risk of) respiratory failure. The only preventive measure is antenatal steroids, which will ameliorate both the structural and biochemical immaturity of the preterm lungs. Treatment mainly consists of respiratory support and exogenous surfactant. The basic aim is to restore pulmonary mechanics and FRC, thereby normalizing WOB and gas exchange. Bedsides, knowledge of respiratory physiology is key to select the optimal modality and level of respiratory support.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

    Anton H. L. C. van Kaam

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Vinod K. Bhutani

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford Children’s Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Vinod K. Bhutani

Authors
  1. Anton H. L. C. van Kaam
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  2. Vinod K. Bhutani
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Correspondence to Anton H. L. C. van Kaam .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Steven M. Donn

  2. Division of Neonatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Mark C. Mammel

  3. Department of Neonatology, Emma Children’s Hospital Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

    Anton H.L.C. van Kaam

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van Kaam, A.H.L.C., Bhutani, V.K. (2022). Pulmonary Mechanics and Energetics. In: Donn, S.M., Mammel, M.C., van Kaam, A.H. (eds) Manual of Neonatal Respiratory Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93997-7_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93997-7_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-93996-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-93997-7

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