Oxygen and Reduced Umbilical Blood Flow Trigger the First Breath of Human Neonates

  1. Hajime Togari M.D.*,
  2. Hisanori Sobajima M.D.,
  3. Shigesumi Suzuki M.D.

Article first published online: 9 OCT 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-200X.1992.tb01027.x

Issue

Pediatrics International

Pediatrics International

Volume 34, Issue 6, pages 660–662, December 1992

Additional Information

How to Cite

Togari, H., Sobajima, H. and Suzuki, S. (1992), Oxygen and Reduced Umbilical Blood Flow Trigger the First Breath of Human Neonates. Pediatrics International, 34: 660–662. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-200X.1992.tb01027.x

Author Information

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya City University Medical School, Nagoya, Japan

* Dr Hajime Togari, Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya City University, Kawa-sumi 1, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467, Japan.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 OCT 2007
  2. Article first published online: 9 OCT 2007
  3. Received August 12, 1992

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Keywords:

  • First breath;
  • Umbilical blood flow;
  • Oxygen.

The mechanism triggering the first breath of human neonates is still unclear. In order to investigate the role of oxygen and umbilical blood flow in the onset of the first breath, a total of 20 rat and rabbit fetuses were studied. AH five rat fetuses delivered in a nitrogen chamber did not commence breathing of their own accord, whereas all five rabbit fetuses delivered in oxygenated fluorocarbon fluid commenced their own breathing, suggesting that contact with oxygen rather than release from submergence is more crucial in the initiation of the first breath.

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