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explain why the first breath of a premature baby is more difficult than subsequent breathing?

explain why the first breath of a premature baby is more difficult than subsequent breathing? Why is a mechanical ventilator needed to assist breathing?

it is due to the lungs not being lined with surfactant yet. This is the lubricant inside the lungs that helps them expand and deflate smoothly. If you like, the first time a balloon is inflated, it takes a lot of pressure to blow up. Then, there is a bit of air left in the balloon once you let some air out but not all, it is easier to blow back up again. Just like breathing. The surfactant makes it easier and smoother, and premmie babies have not produced this yet.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 6:40 pm and is filed under premature baby. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “explain why the first breath of a premature baby is more difficult than subsequent breathing?”

  1. colleen Says:
    November 1st, 2009 at 11:55 pm

    When my baby was born premature I was told it was because the baby’s lungs were not fully developed
    References :

  2. mad elaine Says:
    November 2nd, 2009 at 12:05 am

    it is due to the lungs not being lined with surfactant yet. This is the lubricant inside the lungs that helps them expand and deflate smoothly. If you like, the first time a balloon is inflated, it takes a lot of pressure to blow up. Then, there is a bit of air left in the balloon once you let some air out but not all, it is easier to blow back up again. Just like breathing. The surfactant makes it easier and smoother, and premmie babies have not produced this yet.
    References :

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