A pig model of the preterm neonate: anthropometric and physiological characteristics

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 8; no. 7; p. e68763
• Main Authors: Eiby, Yvonne A, Wright, Layne L, Kalanjati, Viskasari P, Miller, Stephanie M, Bjorkman, Stella T, Keates, Helen L, Lumbers, Eugenie R, Colditz, Paul B, Lingwood, Barbara E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 09.07.2013; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Age; Analysis; Animal models; Animals; Animals, Newborn - growth & development; Anthropometry; Babies; Biology; Blood Pressure; Body measurements; Body weight; Brain research; Cesarean Section; Female; Gestation; Gestational Age; Glucocorticoids; Glucocorticoids - administration & dosage; Hogs; Humans; Hypoxia; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infants; Intubation; Laboratories; Male; Maternal Exposure; Medicine; Mortality; Neonates; Newborn babies; Obstetrics; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Pregnancy; Premature birth; Premature infants; Respiratory distress syndrome; Sheep; Swine; Traumatic brain injury; Ventilation; Queensland Australia; Australia
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068763

Large animal models are an essential tool in the development of rationally-based new clinical therapies for preterm infants. We provide a description of the newborn pig as a model of the preterm neonate in terms of growth parameters, physiology and the requirement for intensive care over a range of gestational ages. Twenty-nine litters of piglets (n = 298) were delivered by caesarean section at six timepoints during gestation from 91d to 113d (term = 115d). Two groups, at 91 and 97d gestation, also received maternal glucocorticoid treatment. At four of these timepoints, piglets (n = 79) were ventilated, sedated and monitored using standard neonatal intensive care techniques for up to 8 h in various experimental protocols. Body weight increased from mean 697 g (SD 193) at 91d gestation to 1331 g (SD 368) at 113d gestation. Piglets delivered at 97d gestation were able to be resuscitated and kept alive for at least 8 h on respiratory support after surfactant administration. Maternal glucocorticoid treatment 48 h and 24 h hours prior to delivery reduced the requirement for ventilator support and improved cardiovascular stability. The pig provides a relevant model for the study of human preterm physiology and for investigation of novel therapies to improve outcomes.