Resumo

ANTUNES, Letícia C.O.; RUGOLO, Lígia M.S.S.  e  CROCCI, Adalberto J.. Effect of preterm infant position on weaning from mechanical ventilation. J. Pediatr. (Rio J.) [online]. 2003, vol.79, n.3, pp. 239-244. ISSN 0021-7557.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0021-75572003000300010.

OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prone positioning on cardiorespiratory stability and weaning outcome of preterm infants during weaning from mechanical ventilation. METHOD: from January to December 1999, a sample of 42 preterm infants, with birthweight < 2,000 g, mechanically ventilated in the first week of life, were randomly divided, in the beginning of the weaning process, in two groups according to the position: supine position (n = 21) or prone position (n = 21). Heart rate, respiratory rate, transcutaneous oxygen saturation and ventilatory parameters were recorded every one hour. Length of the weaning process and complications were also assessed. RESULTS: in both groups the mean gestational age was 29 weeks, most of the patients presented very low birthweight and respiratory distress syndrome. The mean length of the weaning process was 2 days. There were no differences between the groups regarding respiratory rate, heart rate and transcutaneous oxygen saturation, however, oxygen desaturation episodes were more frequent in supine position (p = 0.009). Ventilatory parameters decreased faster and reintubation was less frequent in the prone group (4% versus 33%). No adverse effects of prone positioning were observed. CONCLUSION: these results suggest that prone position is a safe and beneficial procedure during the weaning from mechanical ventilation and may contribute to weaning success in preterm infants.

Palavras-chave : premature; weaning; mechanical ventilation; position.