OBJECTIVE:To verify the influence of preterm infant positioning on respiratory muscle strength, oxygenation and respiratory rate. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a paired sample of intubated infants born with gestational age less than 34 weeks, in the final process of weaning from mechanical ventilation. Infants with malformation, genetic syndromes, neuromuscular diseases, tracheotomies and in the postoperative period of abdominal and thoracic surgery were excluded. Maximum inspiratory pressure measures were checked by a digital manometer; respiratory rate was visually observed during one minute and oxygen saturation was measured by a pulse oximeter in prone and supine postures. Kruskal-Wallis and Student's t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were applied, being significant p<0.05. RESULTS: 45 infants with respiratory distress syndrome were evaluated. The mean gestational age was 30.4 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1522g. The oxygen saturation was higher in prone position (p<0.001). Values of maximum inspiratory pressure were lower in prone when compared to infants in the supine position (p<0.001).Respiratory rate was similar in the two studied positions (p=0.072). CONCLUSIONS: There was a lower inspiratory pressure and a higher oxygen saturation in prone position when compared to the supine one. Concerning the respiratory rate there was no variation between prone and supine position.
posture; infant, premature; oxygenation
