My reference on this:
Pediatric Secrets 2nd ed 1997
Richard Polin MD and Mark Ditmar MD
page 368
"Although 30% of newborns infants breathe through their mouth and nose or
both, the remaining 70% are obligate nose breathers until the third to sixth
week of life."
I didn't know it was as high as 30% at birth.
BTW this is a great book for finding a direct answer to a direct question. I
bet Dr Gail has it.
-Rob
Rob Cordes, DO, FAAP, FACOP
Wilkes Barre, PA
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