Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: Results of many studies suggest that prone position is effective in improving oxygenation. This study aims at comparing supine and prone positions on oxygenation of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome who are under N-CPAP treatment.

Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study on 44 premature infants of 29-34 weeks gestation who were under N-CPAP treatment in NICU of Tabriz Alzahra Hospital, 2010. The infants were randomly divided into 2 groups. The position of the first group was at first, prone and then supine, and for the second group was vice versa. arterial oxygen saturation (SatO2) and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) were assessed in each position for 30 minutes and were recorded in a questionnaire. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05.

Results: This study showed that there was a significant statistical difference between SatO2 and FiO2 in both groups in each two positions (p<0.05) and the results of variance analysis were significant (p=0.000), So that satO2 increased and FiO2 decreased when the position changed from supine to prone.

Conclusion: This study showed that in premature infants under N-CPAP treatment, SatO2 increased and consequently, FiO2 decreased in prone position compared to supine position. Therefore, if there is no limitation for changing infants’ position, prone position can be used to improve oxygenation during N-CPAP treatment.