我們每天能量的消耗量，在觀念上分為四部份：即基礎代謝量、消化食
物 ( 特別是蛋白質消化所須的特異能量 ) 、活動所帶來的能量消耗、及
保持體溫所消耗的能量，以適應環境溫度的變化。除非能夠連續性的去測
定氧氣的消耗量(VO2) 及二氧化碳的產生量 (VCO2)，否則很難去得知一
天能量到底消耗多少，本研究計劃就是提出一種能夠全天候且連續性測定
VO2 及VCO2 的方法。本研究是採用 "流量穿過" (flow-though) 的技術
，利用電腦自動的去測定一段時間內，早產兒所消耗的氧氣及產生的二氧
化碳有多少。此方法不但可算出每一分鐘的 VO2及VCO2，同時亦可測出任
何時間內 VO2及VCO2的總量；例如24小時內，其所產生的總量對於每天能
量消耗量是很重要的指標。傳統的測量儀器，只能間斷的測定，因此不能
即時測出一天的能量消耗量，提供給臨床人員作立即判斷的參考。同時我
們此一新方法，亦可以在早產兒的病床旁邊 24小時測定，而不影響小孩
子的護理。　

Daily energy expenditure is conceptually composed of 4 parts:
the basal metabolic rate ,specific dynamic energy of food,
energy expenditure related to activities,and thermal stress .It
is difficult to estimate daily energy expendi- ture unless
continuous O2 consumption (VO2) and CO2 produ- tion (VCO2) can
be measured .This study describes a simple method to calculate
total and interim changes or daily O2 consumption in premature
infants. Oxygen consumption and CO2 production will be measured
using a flow-through technique,and the total VO2 and VCO2 over
a given period of time will be determined through a computer
system . This system will automatically calculate not only
minute to minute VO2 and VCO2 but also VO2 and VCO2 over a
period of time,eg. 24 hours.The present method has certain
advantages over the tradition method which measured VO2 and
VCO2 intermittently. The present method probably reflects
more the true energy expenditure of the infant's daily life
and it can be applied in the bed-side of the infants during
their ongoing nursery care.