Direct measurement of airway pressure in ventilated very low birth weight infants.

A new method for direct measurement of airway pressure using a fiber optic pressure sensor (FOPS) has been tested in very low birth weight infants during mechanical ventilation. Airway pressure and ventilatory flow was recorded in an initial investigation in three newborn infants with a birth weight less than 1000 g. The method for direct measurement of airway pressure was found to be feasible in ventilated infants and can form a basis for reliable measurements which can be used to derive information on lung function and to guide in finding an effective ventilator management.