Normal static lung compliance for a full-term > 8 hr old infant is?

Normal static lung compliance for a full-term > 8 hr old infant is?

• A. 50-55
• B. 20-25
• C. 70-75
• D. 5-10

Answer: (A)

Static lung compliance measures how much volume the lungs and chest wall will accept for each unit of pressure change when there is no airflow. It reflects how easily the respiratory system distends in response to pressure and is influenced by lung tissue elasticity and surfactant function. In a healthy full-term infant older than eight hours, the lungs are well aerated and surfactant activity is established, so the respiratory system expands with a moderate, easily achievable pressure. Normal static compliance is typically in the range of about 50 to 60 mL per cm H2O, so 50–55 mL/cm H2O sits right in that normal window. Very low values, like 5–10, would indicate markedly stiff lungs, such as with severe infant respiratory distress or surfactant deficiency. Higher values, around 70–75, would be unusually compliant and not typical for a normal term infant. Therefore, the 50–55 range best represents normal static compliance for a healthy term infant after several hours of life.

Static lung compliance measures how much volume the lungs and chest wall will accept for each unit of pressure change when there is no airflow. It reflects how easily the respiratory system distends in response to pressure and is influenced by lung tissue elasticity and surfactant function.

In a healthy full-term infant older than eight hours, the lungs are well aerated and surfactant activity is established, so the respiratory system expands with a moderate, easily achievable pressure. Normal static compliance is typically in the range of about 50 to 60 mL per cm H2O, so 50–55 mL/cm H2O sits right in that normal window.

Very low values, like 5–10, would indicate markedly stiff lungs, such as with severe infant respiratory distress or surfactant deficiency. Higher values, around 70–75, would be unusually compliant and not typical for a normal term infant. Therefore, the 50–55 range best represents normal static compliance for a healthy term infant after several hours of life.