The hypoxic ventilatory response is blunted at 12-15 months corrected age in babies born very preterm

Introduction: Babies born preterm have altered control of breathing and a blunted hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) in early postnatal life. We aimed to assess the HVR at 12-15 months corrected postnatal age (PNA) and determine any lasting effects of neonatal exposures on the HVR. Methods: The HVR was evaluated in infants born Results: Preterm infants (N=39; 16 with BPD) were studied at a mean (SD) age of 14.4 (1.0) months corrected PNA. A small HVR was observed as increased VT (mean difference hypoxic minute 1 from baseline =0.84 mL/kg) and consequently increased VT/Ttot (4.31 mL/s), VT/Ti (9.19 mL/s) and VE (25.98 mL/min/kg); all p Conclusion: Some infants born very preterm fail to have a ventilatory response to hypoxia beyond the first year of life.