Respiration through the skin in persons of various ages (from 3–100 years)

Summary

Respiration through various areas of the skin (chest, abdomen and thigh) was studied in persons, aged from 3–100 years.

In children the skin respiration showed some difference from that in adults. Respiration through various areas of the skin is of equal intensity in children, aged from 3–4 years. Gradually there is a rise of the oxygen consumption by various areas of the skin, as well as in the amount of cacrbon dioxide given up. The respiration intensity through the skin rises up to the age of 50, and then declines to the age of 80, remaining almost unchanged after this age. At the same time, the pulmonary gaseous exchange shows a gradual reduction with increasing age (estimated on unit area of body surface).

A gradual reduction of the pulmonary and skin oxygen consumption in senile individuals may be evidently attributed to decelerated oxidation, to diminished oxidation processes at the cell level and finally to reduction of the oxygen utilization by tissues.

The magnitude and character of respiration distribution over various areas of the skin are closely associated with the formation, development and functional inhibition of the human thermoregulatory mechanism.