Lung Volume and Mechanics of Breathing in the Newborn

Sequential measurements of pulmonary function, including functional residual capacity (FRC), crying vital capacity (CVC), tidal volume (VT), dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), and respiratory resistance, were studied in 10 healthy term newborns on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Postnatal days. The mean values of FRC, CVC, Cdyn, and respiratory resistance showed no significant change from day 1 to day 5, whereas the values of VT increased significantly from day 1 to day 5 (P＜0.01).