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Contact pressure distribution in the supine position in low‐birth weight infants analyzed by a photoelastic method
Author(s) -
Fujimatsu Mariko,
Fujita Takehisa,
Hashimoto Kiyoshi,
Nakagawa Hirofumi
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1442-200x.2001.01324.x
Subject(s) - medicine , supine position , low birth weight , birth weight , trunk , pediatrics , anesthesia , pregnancy , ecology , genetics , biology
Background: Contact pressure distribution patterns in the supine position in low‐birth weight (LBW) neonates were analyzed by the use of a photoelastic method.Methods: A total of 61 subjects (LBW neonates, mature (bodyweight >2500 g at birth) neonates, normal infants and Down syndrome (DS) infants) were selected for the study. Infants were placed on a photoelastic measuring table. Photoelastic images generated in the contact regions of the body were photographed with a camera and printed on monochrome paper. The coefficient of variation in the pressure distribution value (P cv ) and the top and bottom ratio (μ) of the trunk at the center of pressure were calculated.Results: The P cv value was significantly lower in DS than LBW ( P <0.001), mature ( P <0.002) and normal infants ( P <0.01). The μ value in LBW and mature neonates was 48.9 and 50.2%, respectively. Normal infants had a μ value of 44.0%, which was significantly lower than that in LBW neonates. However, there was no significant difference between LBW and DS infants.Conclusions: Neurological impairment specifically affects the data obtained by photoelastic analysis.