| Abstract | A mathematical model of neonatal respiratory control is proposed which can be
used to stimulate the system under different physiological conditions. The
model consists of a continuous plant and a discrete controller. Included in
the plant are lungs, body tissue, brain tissue, a cerebrospinal fluid
compartment, and central and peripheral receptors. The effect of shunt in the
lungs is included in the model and the lung volume and the dead space are
time varying. The controller utilizes outputs from peripheral and central
receptors to adjust the depth and rate of breathing and the effects of
prematurity of peripheral receptors are included in the
system. Hering-Breuer type reflexes are embodied in the controller to
accomplish respiratory synchronization. The model is examined and its
simulation results under test conditions in hypoxia and hypercapnia are
presented. |