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SHORT COMMUNICATION
Year : 2013  |  Volume : 2  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 294-297

A study of respiratory rate, tidal volume, inspiratory capacity and inspiratory reserve volume in different trimesters of pregnancy


1 Department of Physiology, BLDE University Shri B.M. Patil Medical College, Bijapur, India
2 Department of Biochemistry, DM Wayanad Institute of Medical Sciences, Naseera Nagar, Meppadi, Wayanad, Kerala, India

Date of Web Publication7-Feb-2014

Correspondence Address:
Anita Teli
C/o Parimal Dhar, 2nd Floor, Duke Apartment, 50-Kalighat Road, Bhowanipur, Kolkata - 26
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/2278-344X.126766

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  Abstract 

Background: The anatomical, physiological and biochemical adaptations in pregnancy are profound. Many of these changes begin soon after fertilization and continue throughout the gestation and changes in the respiratory system are part of the same process. However there is insufficient information regarding the changes in respiratory parameters in different trimesters of pregnancy. Aims: The aim of the study was designed to evaluate the pulmonary function tests in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters of pregnancy and compare them with non-pregnant control group. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried in 200 healthy women in the age range of 19-35 years. The subjects were distributed in four groups, as control (non-pregnant) group and 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimester pregnant groups. Number of subjects in each group was 50. Respiratory parameters in control and study groups were recorded. Statistical Analysis: By 'Z ' test. Results: There was gradual significant increase in respiratory rate in all trimesters of pregnancy. There was a gradual decrease in tidal volume in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters of pregnancy when compared to non pregnant women. There was significant decrease in Inspiratory Reserve Volume and Inspiratory Capacity. Conclusion: The changes in pulmonary function are attributed to major adaptations in the maternal respiratory system and are influenced by the mechanical pressure of enlarging gravid uterus, elevating the diaphragm and restricting the movements of lungs thus hampering the forceful expiration and also might be due to decline in alveolar Pco 2 caused by hyperventilation which acts as bronchoconstrictor; in addition to sensitization of respiratory center due to progesterone

Keywords: Inspiratory capacity, inspiratory reserve volume, pregnancy, respiratory rate, tidal volume


How to cite this article:
Teli A, Doddamani P, Bagali S. A study of respiratory rate, tidal volume, inspiratory capacity and inspiratory reserve volume in different trimesters of pregnancy. Int J Health Allied Sci 2013;2:294-7

How to cite this URL:
Teli A, Doddamani P, Bagali S. A study of respiratory rate, tidal volume, inspiratory capacity and inspiratory reserve volume in different trimesters of pregnancy. Int J Health Allied Sci [serial online] 2013 [cited 2024 Mar 29];2:294-7. Available from: https://www.ijhas.in/text.asp?2013/2/4/294/126766


  Introduction Top


There are number of changes in the anatomical, physiological and biochemical parameters during pregnancy, which begin immediately following conception and continue for entire pregnancy. [1]

In very early stage of pregnancy, the corpus luteum secretes 17- hydroxyl progesterone. Following development of trophoblast, progesterone is synthesized and secreted in increasing amount from the placenta. The placenta can utilize cholesterol as a precursor derived from the mother for the production of pregnenolone and ultimately progesterone. The average level of plasma progesterone at 12 th week, 28 th week and term is approximately 25 ng/ml, 80 ng/ml and 180 ng/ml respectively. After delivery, the plasma progesterone decreases rapidly and is not detectable after 24 hours. [2]

Progesterone increases ventilation by increasing respiratory centre sensitivity to carbondioxide as a result the tidal volume and minute ventilation is increased. This results in a decrease in arterial and alveolar carbon dioxide pressure. [3],[4]

Until today, plenty of studies have been done to assess the pulmonary function in health as well as in diseases such as asthma, tuberculosis and ascites. [5] This work is intended to study the effect of pregnancy on Computerized Spirometric Pulmonary function tests measuring the following Static and dynamic lung volumes and capacities. [6]

  1. Tidal Volume (TV) [6] : It is the volume of air breathed in or out during quiet respiration. Normal value: 500 ml
  2. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV): [6] It is the maximum volume of air which can be inspired after complete normal tidal inspiration. Normal value: 2000-3200 ml
  3. Inspiratory Capacity (IC): [6] It is the maximum volume of air which can be inspired after complete tidal expiration. Normal value: 2500-3700 ml.

    IC = TV ± IRV


Studies have revealed that there is a sizeable proportion of evidence indicating the relationship between pregnancy and respiratory functions from various parts of the world. Although some workers have already studied pulmonary function tests in women during pregnancy in some parts of our country, [7] there are very few reports involving subjects of South Indian origin in this field. Hence aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of pregnancy, on pulmonary function tests like TV, IRV and IC involving subjects of South Indian origin (Karnataka) and compare them with that of healthy non-pregnant age matched controls.


  Materials and Methods Top


A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology of Medical College. The study was undertaken to determine the pulmonary function changes in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters of pregnancy. The observations were compared with age-matched healthy non- pregnant women.

Method of collection of data

Study group

A total of 150 pregnant women in the age group of 19-35 years who were attending the Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary care hospital were included in the study group. The study group was divided into 3 subgroups and each sub group comprised of 50 women in first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Control group

Apparently healthy age matched 50 non-pregnant women.

Institutional ethical committee approval was obtained before the commencement of the study. The nature and purpose of this study were explained to the subjects who had volunteered for the study and a written consent was obtained. A proforma was used to record the relevant information from each selected individual who had fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A thorough physical and systemic examination of each subject was done (in particular, cardiovascular and respiratory system). Recordings were taken during morning hours between 9 am and 12 Noon.

Inclusion criteria

Apparently healthy pregnant subjects of South Indian origin were included in the study. The apparent health status of the subjects was determined through thorough clinical examination and history taking.

Exclusion criteria

Subjects with acute respiratory infection in the previous 3 months, chronic respiratory infection including asthma, history or clinical signs of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, tobacco consumption in any form, alcohol intake, endocrine disorders, obesity and moderate to severe anemia were excluded from the studies.

Following parameters were recorded in each subject:

  • Record of physiological parameters

    Pulse Rate (beats/min), blood pressure (

    ystolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in mmhg), respiratory rate (cycles/min) were recorded
  • Record of pulmonary function parameters The subjects were informed about the procedure. For each test, three readings were taken. The highest reading of the three was taken for calculation. All tests were recorded in a sitting posture at room temperature, in morning hours.


The following pulmonary parameters were recorded by Computerized Spiropac (Medicad) [6]

  1. TV (L)
  2. IRV (L)
  3. IC (L).


Statistical analysis

The results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Z test was used for comparison between control and study groups in consultation with a statistician. The analysis of data was performed using the satistical package for social sciences windows version 16 and a 'P ' < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.


  Results Top


Respiratory rate (cpm)

Mean RR ± SD of control and pregnant women in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters were 16 ± 3, 22 ± 3, 23 ± 4.3 and 26 ± 3.7 cpm respectively. There was statistically very highly significant gradual increase in RR from 1 st to 3 rd trimester as compared with control as shown in [Table 1].
Table 1: Mean±SD and range of physiological parameters of subjects in control and study groups

Click here to view


Tidal volume (L)

Mean TV ± SD of control and pregnant women in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters were 0.84 ± 0.41, 0.72 ± 0.95, 0.57 ± 0.23 and 0.58 ± 0.24 liters respectively. There was a gradual decrease in TV of 1 st , 2 nd (P = 0.001) and 3 rd (P = 0.001) trimesters of pregnancy when compared to non-pregnant women and the decrease is maximum in 2 nd trimester as shown in [Figure 1].
Figure 1: Comparison of tidal volume (L) and inspiratory reserve volume (L) in different trimesters of pregnancy and control group

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Inspiratory Reserve Volume (L)

Mean IRV ± SD of control and pregnant women in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters were 1.02 ± 0.60, 0.78 ± 0.47, 0.75 ± 0.54 and 0.92 ± 0.55 liters respectively. There was a statistically highly significant decrease in IRV in 1 st (P = 0.012) and 2 nd (P = 0.008) trimesters of pregnancy and insignificant decrease in 3 rd trimester of pregnancy when compared with non- pregnant women as shown in [Figure 1].

Inspiratory Capacity (L)

Mean IC ± SD of control and pregnant women in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters were 1.82 ± 0.82, 1.47 ± 0.95, 1.27 ± 0.7 and 1.43 ± 0.6 L respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease in IC in 1 st (P = 0.024), 2 nd (P = 0.001) and 3 rd trimesters of pregnancy when compared with non-pregnant women. Maximum decrease in IC is seen in 2 nd trimester of pregnancy as shown in [Figure 2].
Figure 2: Comparison of inspiratory capacity (L) in different trimesters of pregnancy and control group

Click here to view



  Discussion Top


A cross-sectional study was carried in 200 healthy women in the age group of 19-35 years. The subjects were distributed in four groups as: Control (non-pregnant) group and 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimester pregnant groups. Number of subjects in each group was 50. Various physiological and respiratory parameters were recorded in control and study groups.

In the present study, there was a significant increase in RR from 1 st trimester to 3 rd trimester of pregnancy as compared with control group which was in agreement with a study carried out by Heidemann, who stated that PaCO 2 falls and then levels off at 4.1kPa (31mmHg) by the end of the first trimester. This is caused by a 10% increase in the RR, secondary to progesterone mediated hypersensitivity to CO 2 and an increase in alveolar and minute ventilation, secondary to increased RR and TV. [8]

Present study showed a significant decrease in TV from 1 st trimester to 3 rd trimester as compared to control with maximum decrease in 2 nd trimester. In contrast to present study, a study by Kolarzyk et al., have showed that there was an increase in the TV in all trimesters. The increase in TV is due to increase in carbondioxide tension and reflected a fall in systemic arterial blood CO 2 tension. [9]

Present study showed a significant decrease in IRV in 1 st trimester and 2 nd trimester as compared to control. This statistical significant decrease in IRV in all trimesters might be due to decrease in inspiratory muscle power.

Present study showed a significant decrease in IC from 1 st trimester to 3 rd trimester as compared to control with maximum decrease in 2 nd trimester. In contrast to present study, Phatak and Kurhade showed an increase in the IC during pregnancy due to mechanical changes in thoracic cage increasing its volume. [7],[10] Another possible cause is the heightened response to nervous stimuli because intensity and duration of nervous stimuli required to produce the muscular contraction are shortened during pregnancy. [7]

Use of Computerized Spiropac (Medicad) has additional advantages of quick, accurate and discrete measurement of these above mentioned parameters which help for better differentiation of respiratory diseases from normal pregnancy changes.


  Conclusion Top


The significant increase in RR by 4 cpm might be due to sensitization of respiratory center due to progesterone and is compensated by a decrease in TV ultimately maintaining the constant MV even during all trimesters of pregnancy. The statistical significant decrease in IRV seen in first and second trimesters might be due to decrease in inspiratory muscle power. Decrease in IC seen in all trimesters might be due to heightened response to nervous stimuli. Computerized method helps in better assessment of respiratory changes in different trimesters.

To establish the cause of decrease in respiratory parameters further longitudinal studies are to be undertaken by hormonal assay in different trimesters to know the relation between hormone and respiratory parameters.

 
  References Top

1.Cunningham GF, Gant NF. Maternal adaptations to pregnancy. In: Williams Obstetrics. 21 st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2001, p. 167-200.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.Chakraborty BN. Endocrinology in relation to reproduction. In Dutta DC, editor. Text Book of Obstetrics. 6 th ed. Kolkata: New central book agency pvt ltd. 2004: p. 59-61.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.Bayliss DA, Millhorn DE. Central neural mechanics of progesterone action: Application to the respiratory system. J Appl Physiol 1992; 73:393-404.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.Chankradhar V, Sai prakash B, Venkatehiah. Sleep-disordered breathing during Pregnancy. J Am Board Fam Med 2009;22:158-16.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.King H, Aubert RE, Herman WH. Global burden of diabetes, 1995 to 2025; prevalence, numerical estimates projections. Diabetes care 1998; 21:1414-31.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.Pal G.K. Pulmonary function tests. In: Pal GK, Pal P, Nanda N, editors. Textbook of Practical Physiology, 2 nd ed. Chennai: Orient Longmann publications; Chennai 2005:p.154-61.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.Phatak MS, Kurhade GA. Longitudinal study of antenatal changes in lung function tests and importance of postpartum exercises in their recovery. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2003; 47: 352-56.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.Heidemann B. Changes in maternal physiology during pregnancy.Update in Anaesthesia 2005;20:21-4.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.Kolarzyk E, Szot WM, Lyszczarz J. Lung function and breathing regulation parameters during pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2005; 272: 53-8.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.Brancazio LR, Laifer SA, Schwartz TP. Expiratory Flow Rate in normal pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 1997;89: 383-6.  Back to cited text no. 10
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2]
 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1]


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