Decreased activity and oxygen desaturation in prone ventilated preterm infants during the first postnatal week.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of supine and prone positions on oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), desaturation episodes (SpO(2) < 90% and >or= 20 seconds), and motor activity in ventilated preterm infants during their first postnatal week.


METHODS
With use of a crossover design, we randomly assigned infants to a supine/prone or prone/supine position sequence. Infants were placed in each position for 2 hours. A stabilization period of 10 minutes before observation of each position was allowed. During the protocol, care procedures were kept minimal and ventilator settings remained unchanged.


METHODS
Neonatal intensive care units at 2 tertiary care centers in Taiwan.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 28 infants receiving mechanical ventilation who were 25 to 36 weeks' gestation, without known congenital abnormalities, within 7 postnatal days of birth, and were not receiving sedation.


RESULTS
When prone, infants had higher SpO(2), fewer episodes of oxygen desaturation, and less motor activity than when supine. No significant differences in duration of SpO(2) less than 90%, 85%, and 80% were found between the 2 positions. Seventy-four percent of desaturation episodes were associated with vigorous motor activity and crying.


CONCLUSIONS
The prone position results in less motor activity and may stabilize oxygenation for ventilated preterm infants. This may conserve energy and decrease complications of hypoxia for sick preterm infants.
Chang
Ying-Ju
YJ
Department of Nursing, College of Medicine of National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Anderson
Gene Cranston
GC
Dowling
Donna
D
Lin
Chyi-Her
CH
D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D009068:Movement; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D016684:Prone Position; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D016683:Supine Position; D013997:Time Factors
D010100:Oxygen