[Respiratory pattern during the first year of life in children after neonatal respiratory distress syndrome].

Spirography and lung mechanics were assessed in 82 infants (20--age 3 months, 28--age 6 months, 34--age 12 months) that had acute respiratory distress syndrome. During the first twelve months a decrease of normalized lung volumes, increase of respiratory drive and airway resistance were found. A significant correlation was found between Ti, Ttot and FRCpl, and body weight. A similar relation was found between respiratory frequency and the above mentioned. The normalized respiratory index depends on the value of FRC. The respiratory cycle timing and the normalized respiratory drive (VT/Ti/kg) are airway resistance related.