Physiological parameters of preterm infants in different postures: An observational study

Abstract Positioning is performed to provide support, comfort and physiological stability of preterm infants. This observational study aimed to compare the physiological parameters of preterm infants with respiratory distress in different postures in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Ninety five preterm infants with respiratory distress under continuous positive airway pressure or positive end-expiratory pressure were selected by non-probability sampling. Each infant was placed 120 min respectively in prone, right-lateral, supine and left-lateral postures. The arterial oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured every 5 min in each posture and the mean values were recorded during 120 min every 60 min. The mean arterial oxygen saturation value was significantly higher in prone and left-lateral postures compared to supine (p