EFFECT OF POSITION ON OXYGENATION, HEART RATE, AND BEHAVIORAL STATE IN TRANSITIONAL NEWBORN INFANTS (NEWBORNS, BODY POSITION).
Contributors: University of Florida.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 108
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Human Development.
Description: Adaptation from intrauterine life to extrauterine life occurs during the transitional period, a physiologically critical period for the human newborn infant. During this transition, several crucial physiological adjustments must be completed for the infant to survive extrauterine life. Despite the many physiological changes that must occur during this critical time of transition, consensus does not exist regarding the care that should be given to optimize and enhance the newborn's adjustment to extrauterine life.

This research was done to determine the effect of prone and supine position on oxygenation, heart rate, and behavioral state in newborn infants during the critical transitional period. Sixty-three normal, healthy newborns were studied between 68 and 200 mean minutes postbirth. Thirty-two infants were randomly assigned to the supine group and 31 infants to the prone group.

A pulse oximeter, the NELLCOR N-200, provided measurements of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO$\sb2$) and heart rate. Behavioral state (BSt) was assessed using the 12-category Anderson Behavioral State Scale.

Mean SaO$\sb2$ for prone and supine infants was 98.4 $\pm$.23 versus 94.0 $\pm$.23, F (1, 61) = 177.30, p $<$.0001. Mean heart rate for prone and supine infants was 129 $\pm$ 1.7 versus 131 $\pm$ 1.6, F (1, 61) =.66, p =.420. More optimal behavioral states were observed in prone infants than supine infants. Mean respiratory rates for prone and supine infants were 48.7 $\pm$ 11.8 versus 38.5 $\pm$ 8.2, F (1, 22) =.60, p =.447.

Because higher oxygen saturations and more optimal behavioral states were observed in prone infants, it is concluded that the prone position is beneficial for newborn infants during the transitional period.

The simple intervention of placing transitional newborn infants in the prone position is inexpensive and requires no special equipment. The intervention requires no additional time and can easily be incorporated into the routine care of transitional newborn infants.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-08, Section: B, page: 4127.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, 1991.

School code: 0070.