Comparison of interface pressures in the pediatric population among various support surfaces.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interface pressures under the bony prominences of children on several support surfaces to evaluate benefit, in terms of the lowest interface pressures, and cost-effectiveness.


METHODS
A descriptive study design was used.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 54 healthy children from the community ranging in age from infancy through 16 years was enrolled through advertisements in the hospital newsletter. The study was conducted in the General Clinical Research Center located within Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.


METHODS
The instrument used to measure the interface pressures was the Mini-Texas Interface Pressure Evaluator.


METHODS
A comparison was done to evaluate interface pressures under the occiput for infants to children younger than 6 years of age and under the occiput, coccyx, and heel for 6- to 18-year-olds. Five surface combinations were used for measurements: a standard hospital bed or crib mattress; mattress with Delta foam overlay; a mattress with a Gel-E-Donut pillow; a mattress with a Delta foam overlay plus Gel-E-Donut pillow; and an Efica low-air-loss bed.


RESULTS
The standard hospital mattress yielded the highest interface pressures. The Delta Foam overlay alone or in combination with the Gel-E-Donut pillow produced the lowest occipital pressures in all age groups. The Delta foam overlay produced comparable pressures to the Efica low-air-loss bed when measuring the coccyx and heel interface pressures.


CONCLUSIONS
The Delta Foam overlay alone or in combination with the Gel-E-Donut pillow is a cost-effective and therapeutic choice for pressure reduction as demonstrated in this study of healthy children.
McLane
Kathleen M
KM
Texas Children's Hospital, 10615 Candlewood, Houston, TX 77042, USA. kmclane2001@yahoo.com
Krouskop
Thomas A
TA
McCord
Shannon
S
Fraley
J Ken
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011312:Pressure