Comparison of the Effects of Prone and Supine Positions on Abdominal Distention in the Premature Infants Receiving Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (NCPAP)

Background: Premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) are in dire need of respiratory support with a ventilator. However, the high tidal volume of mechanical ventilation may cause lung injury, and researchers have been concerned with the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP). NCPAP has concomitant side effects, such as abdominal distention, which might disrupt the proper nutrition of neonates. The present study aimed to compare the effects of supine and prone positions on the abdominal distension of the newborns with NCPAP. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 37 neonates during six months with a randomized block crossover design selected for the supine and prone positions on the back and abdomen, respectively. Samples were breastfed infants receiving noninvasive ventilation, who were kept in the mentioned positions for two hours. Data analysis was performed in Application SRS version 19 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In the analysis of variance, comparison of the changes in the abdominal circumference at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes in the supine position (P=0.004) and prone position (P=0.001) with repeated sizes indicated a significant difference in at least one of the mentioned timings. Conclusion: According to the results, prone position while feeding could effectively reduce abdominal distension in the neonates receiving NCPAP.