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. 2002 May;86(3):F147–F150. doi: 10.1136/fn.86.3.F147

Effect of posture on oxygenation and respiratory muscle strength in convalescent infants

G Dimitriou, A Greenough, L Pink, A McGhee, A Hickey, G Rafferty
PMCID: PMC1721414  PMID: 11978742

Abstract

Objective: To determine if differences in respiratory muscle strength could explain any posture related effects on oxygenation in convalescent neonates.

Methods: Infants were examined in three postures: supine, supine with head up tilt of 45°, and prone. A subsequent study was performed to determine the influence of head position in the supine posture. In each posture/head position, oxygen saturation (SaO2) was determined and respiratory muscle strength assessed by measurement of the maximum inspiratory pressure (PIMAX).

Patients: Twenty infants, median gestational age 34.5 weeks (range 25–43), and 10 infants, median gestational age 33 weeks (range 30–36), were entered into the first and second study respectively.

Results: Oxygenation was higher in the prone and supine with 45° head up tilt postures than in the supine posture (p<0.001), whereas PIMAX was higher in the supine and supine with head up tilt of 45° postures than in the prone posture (p<0.001). Head position did not influence the effect of posture on PIMAX or oxygenation.

Conclusion: Superior oxygenation in the prone posture in convalescent infants was not explained by greater respiratory muscle strength, as this was superior in the supine posture.

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Figure 1 .

Figure 1

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Representative trace of airway pressure during measurement of maximum inspiratory pressure (PIMAX). Airway occlusions were performed at end expiration on at least three separate occasions. Each occlusion was maintained until the infant had made at least five inspiratory efforts. From the series of occlusions, PIMAX was identified as the largest negative pressure generated.

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