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Effect of position on oxygen saturation and requirement in convalescent preterm infants
Author(s) -
Elder Dawn E,
Campbell Angela J,
Galletly Duncan
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02157.x
Subject(s) - medicine , supine position , anesthesia , oxygen saturation , gestation , oxygenation , prone position , respiratory system , polysomnography , oxygen , apnea , pregnancy , chemistry , organic chemistry , biology , genetics
Aims: To document the effect of position on oxygen saturation and changes in oxygen requirement in convalescent preterm infants. Methods: Twelve infants born ≥24 and ≤32 weeks gestation, extubated and without congenital anomaly were studied using nap polysomnography in prone and supine, twice weekly until discharge. Mean oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), minimum SpO 2 , mean minimum SpO 2 and time with SpO 2 < 90% were measured in active sleep. Results: Eight male and four female infants [median gestation 28 (24–31) weeks and median birthweight 1059 (715–1840) g] had 39 studies. For 21 of 39 studies, the infant was on respiratory support. Four infants had chronic lung disease (CLD). SpO 2 varied with postmenstrual age (PMA) (p = 0.003) but not with position (p = 0.36), and PMA did not influence the effect of position on SpO 2 (p = 0.19). SpO 2 was lower for those with CLD (p < 0.0001) and those on respiratory support (p < 0.001), but there was no effect of position (p = 0.97 and p = 0.67, respectively). From 36 weeks PMA, a change to supine did not increase oxygen requirement. Conclusion: In preterm infants, PMA and residual respiratory disease have greater effects on oxygenation than position. A supine sleep position is not disadvantageous for preterm infants at discharge.