Initiation of Respiration

Gaseous Exchange During Endotracheal Ventilation for Asphyxia at Birth

“…Permanent changes also occur in the general circulation within a few days with the final closure of the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus (Dawes, 1961). Many stimuli probably contribute to the initiation and maintenance of ventilation, though what controls their recruitment is still a field for research (Purves, 1967). Several workers have undertaken serial studies of blood gas tensions and acid-base balance in mothers and their infants during, and immediately after, birth (Saling, 1965;Engstrom et al, 1966).…”