The Prone Position Stabilized Respiration in an Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant with Periodic Respiration and Apnea: A Case Study

Abstract

[Purpose] To verify the effect of the prone position on periodic respiration and apnea in an extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infant. [Subjects and Methods] The subject was an ELBW infant who showed periodic respiration and apnea from a corrected age of 37 weeks. For the purpose of managing respiration, the infant was positioned in the prone position for 3 weeks. Then, the immediate and 24-hour changes were assessed, using endermic arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) as an index, after placing the infant back in the supine position. Respiration abnormalities before and after the 3-week intervention were also assessed.[Results] Both the 5-minute (immediate) and 24-hour changes in SpO2 showed raised average values with reduced variation. The frequencies of respiration abnormalities were: apnea, 5 times pre-intervention, and zero post-intervention; and periodic respiration, 5 times pre-intervention, and once post-intervention.[Conclusion] The results suggest that the frequency of respiration abnormalities can be reduced by respiration management using the prone position. Key words: periodic respiration, extremely low birth weight infant, prone position