The effect on physiological variables of prone and supine positions given to preterm newborns recei̇vi̇ng mechanical ventilation

THE EFFECT ON PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES OF PRONE AND SUPINE POSITIONS GIVEN TO PRETERM NEWBORNS RECEİVİNG MECHANICAL VENTILATION Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect on physiological variables (oxygen saturation and heart rate) of preterm newborn of prone and supine positions given to preterm newborns receiving mechanical ventilation. Methods: In order to test the efficacy of two different positions (prone-supine) given to preterm newborns receiving mechanical ventilation in the study, preterm newborns were divided into two groups by randomization according to position priority (n = 38). Supine position was first followed by prone position (n = 19), second group was first prone position, then supine position (n = 19). In the study, written consent was obtained from the ethics committee, institutions and families. The obtained data were analyzed by percent distributions, averages, analysis of variance in repeated measures and t test in dependent groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between heart rate averages of preterm neonates according to supine and prone positions (p> 0.05). The difference between the oxygen saturation averages at 105th minute according to the positions of the preterm newborns was found to be higher in the prone position at statistically significant level (p = 0.0007). In the supine position, heart rate averages of group 1 (supine-prone) preterm newborns were significantly lower than group 2 (prone-supine) (F = 9.92, p = 0.0018). The averages oxygen saturation of the preterm newborns in group 2 (prone-supine) was significantly higher in prone and supine positions than in group 1 (supine-prone) (prone: F = 20.22, p = <.0001, supine: F = 14.73, p = 0.0001). Conclusion: As a result of the findings obtained in the research; the oxygen saturation in the prone position was found to be high and stable at a significant level, the supine and prone positions did not affect the heart rate, the oxygen saturation of the preterm newborn given prone position first was high and the heart rate of the preterm newborn given supine position first was low. Key words: preterm newborn, mechanical ventilation, position, physiological variables