D J Keene1, J E Wimmer, O P Mathew. 1. Department of Pediatrics, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27858-4354, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prone and supine positioning on the cardiorespiratory stability of preterm infants with apnea and bradycardia. METHODS: A total of 22 preterm infants with symptomatic apnea and bradycardia (gestational age of 26.9 +/- 1.8 weeks and birth weight of 865 +/- 235 gm) were monitored for 24 hours (in four sequential 6-hour blocks) for apnea, bradycardia, and oxygen desaturation in alternating positions (prone or supine) following randomization. Postconceptional age at the time of study was 31.9 +/- 3.0 weeks. Respiratory rate, heart rate, and transcutaneous oxygen saturation were continuously monitored. All episodes of apnea (> or = 10 seconds), bradycardia (< 100 beats per minute), and oxygen desaturation (< 90%) were recorded on an event monitor. Episodes of apnea, bradycardia, and oxygen desaturation were defined as clinically significant if the following criteria were met: apnea, > or = 15 seconds; bradycardia, < 90 beats per minute; and oxygen desaturation, < 80%. All other recorded episodes were considered mild. The episodes were analyzed for statistical significance using the paired t-test. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) in the incidence of clinically significant apnea, bradycardia, or desaturation between supine and prone positions were seen in these preterm infants. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the cardiorespiratory stability of preterm infants is not significantly compromised by supine positioning.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prone and supine positioning on the cardiorespiratory stability of preterm infants with apnea and bradycardia. METHODS: A total of 22 preterm infants with symptomatic apnea and bradycardia (gestational age of 26.9 +/- 1.8 weeks and birth weight of 865 +/- 235 gm) were monitored for 24 hours (in four sequential 6-hour blocks) for apnea, bradycardia, and oxygen desaturation in alternating positions (prone or supine) following randomization. Postconceptional age at the time of study was 31.9 +/- 3.0 weeks. Respiratory rate, heart rate, and transcutaneous oxygen saturation were continuously monitored. All episodes of apnea (> or = 10 seconds), bradycardia (< 100 beats per minute), and oxygen desaturation (< 90%) were recorded on an event monitor. Episodes of apnea, bradycardia, and oxygen desaturation were defined as clinically significant if the following criteria were met: apnea, > or = 15 seconds; bradycardia, < 90 beats per minute; and oxygen desaturation, < 80%. All other recorded episodes were considered mild. The episodes were analyzed for statistical significance using the paired t-test. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) in the incidence of clinically significant apnea, bradycardia, or desaturation between supine and prone positions were seen in these preterm infants. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the cardiorespiratory stability of preterm infants is not significantly compromised by supine positioning.
Authors: Ruth Eckstein Grunau; Maria Beatriz Martins Linhares; Liisa Holsti; Tim F Oberlander; Michael F Whitfield Journal: Clin J Pain Date: 2004 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 3.442