Objective: Therapeutic positions are widely used in preterm newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prone and supine positions on the oxygen saturation and heart rate of preterm newborns receiving respiratory support.
Material and Methods: This was an experimental, randomized controlled trial. Preterm infants were divided into 2 groups by randomization. Nineteen newborns in group 1 (Supine/Prone (S/P)) were first started in the supine position, and then placed in the prone position. Nineteen newborns in group 2 (Prone/Supine (P/S)) were first started in the prone position and were then placed in the supine position. The physiological parameters (oxygen saturation and heart rate) of preterm newborns was evaluated every 15 minutes in 2 hours after positioning for both groups.
Results: The 2 groups were determined to be similar in terms of descriptive and clinical variables. The difference between the mean oxygen saturation values of preterm newborns at the 105th minute, according to the positions, was found to be significantly higher in the prone position (P = .001). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean values of heart rate according to the positions (P > .05). It was determined that the mean oxygen saturation levels of premature newborns with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at the 60th minute (P = .005) and the 105th minute (P = .018) were significantly higher in the prone position.
Conclusion: The prone position provides high and stable oxygen saturation for preterm newborns who receive respiratory support.
Cite this article as: Beşiktaş S, Efe E. The effect of prone and supine positions on heart rate and oxygen saturation in preterm newborns receiving respiratory support: A randomized controlled study. Arch Health Sci Res. 2022; 9(1): 43-50.