The effect of posture in premature infants on the arterial oxygen saturation, fraction of inspired oxygen and abdominal distension

Putting infants in a posture that reduces oxygen requirement and the complications of the continuous positive airway pressure method is very important. This study aimed at examining the effect of the posture on the arterial oxygen saturation, fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) and abdominal distension in premature infants with the respiratory distress syndrome under nasal continuous positive airway pressure.
In this clinical trial study, 41 premature infants were selected by the simple random sampling and one-group before-after design. The amounts of arterial oxygen saturation, FIO2 and abdominal distension in supine and prone positions were recorded in a data-collection form.
There was a significant difference between the mean FIO2 and between the mean abdominal circumference in the prone and supine positions (P=0.022, P According to the results of the present study, the neonates’ abdominal distension and FIO2 decreased in the prone position. Thus, this supportive, free of charge and effective method can be recommended for these neonates.