Abstract
Results of several studies suggest that prone position is beneficial in improving the preterm infants' cardio-respiratory status. Previous studies showed opposite results, and also there is not any available clear study about the effect of this position on cardio-respiratory rates of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (N-CPAP) treating premature infants. This study aimed at comparing supine and prone positions on cardio-respiratory rates of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who were treated using N-CPAP. This was a cross over study which was performed in 2010 on 44 hospitalized 29-34 weeks gestation premature infants who were receiving N-CPAP in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Al-Zahra Hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Infants were randomly assigned into two groups, and the first group was placed in prone at first and then in supine, and the position of second group was at first supine and then prone. Infants' Heart Rate (HR) and Respiratory Rate (RR) were assessed three times in each position for 30 minutes. The data was recorded in a data-collection form, and demographic data was analyzed using t test, Chi square and Fisher exact test. Also, repeated measurement ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests were used. There was a significant difference in HR and RR of premature infants who were similar in gestational age and clinical condition and placed in two positions. Premature infants' HR and RR became lower at prone position than supine in both groups. So it can be concluded that prone position could decrease infants HR and RR, but supine position might increase them (P < 0.05). Our findings support prone positioning for premature infants. Therefore, it is advisable to NICU staff that if there is no obstacle for changing the infant's position, prone position in infants with respiratory complications during receiving N-CPAP in NICU can be useful. Regarding the fact that prone position is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome , prone position should be only used when the newborn is being supervised carefully.
Highlights
Results of several studies suggest that prone position is beneficial in improving the preterm infants’ cardio-respiratory status
Studies shows advantages and disadvantages for both the supine and prone positions among premature infants to their physiological outcomes, there is a trend remaining toward keeping premature infants in a supine position due to increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome in infants placed in a prone position, and it is said that prematurely born infants compared with those born at term have a higher incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Our study showed that the mean value of Heart Rate (HR) and Respiratory Rate (RR) in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome who were treated using Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (N-CPAP) decreased in prone position, their tachypnea and tachycardia reduced and infants became more stable in prone rather than supine position
Summary
Results of several studies suggest that prone position is beneficial in improving the preterm infants’ cardio-respiratory status. Objectives: This study aimed at comparing supine and prone positions on cardio-respiratory rates of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who were treated using N-CPAP. For example Maynard and Leipal showed that premature infants’ cardio-respiratory rates were lower in prone than supine position [5]; Fifer and Ammaria found opposite results in their studies. They showed that infants’ cardio-respiratory rates increases more in prone than in supine position [6, 7].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
