Effect of prone and supine positioning on pre-term newborn respiratory function: a bibliographic review

Abstract

Review of the literature in Medline and Scielo bases about the effects of prone and supine positions in premature respiratory function in the newborn. After reading study titles and abstracts, only those that evaluated the effects of position in respiratory function were selected. There were no significant differences with regard to oximetry. There was a positive correlation between the prone position and thoracic-abdominal synchronism, between the supine position and maximal inhalation pressure as well as with one millisecond occlusion pressure, both of low magnitude. Studies analyzed were inconclusive about the best position for newborn respiratory function.