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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to share study result.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to discuss the study result with all participant.
• Objectives: The purpose of the present study is to compare the effects of the prone and supine positions on gastric emptying at different feeding volumes in preterm infants.
• Design: A time series with cross-over study
• Method: A sample of 36 infants in a neonatal intensive care unit was recruited in 2010. Infants were randomly assigned to the following treatment order: 3 hours in a supine position followed by 3 hours in a prone position, or vice versa. Measurements of gastric residual volume were taken by syringe at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes following feeding when the enteral intake arrived at 50 ml/kg/day, and 100 ml/kg/day.
• Results: The gastric residual volume (mean %) at a feeding volume of 50 ml/kg/day was significantly lower in the prone position (6.4%) than the supine position (29.7%; p<0.001). The gastric residual volume (mean %) at a feeding volume of 100 ml/kg/day was significantly lower in the prone position (5.1%) than the supine position (20.8%; p<0.001). At a feeding volume of 50 ml/kg/day, the gastric emptying rate equation for preterm infants in the prone position was Y(p)=59.13-0.39 t; the gastric emptying rate equation for preterm infants in the supine position was Y(s)=83.87-0.39 t. At a feeding volume of 100 ml/kg/day, the gastric emptying rate equation for preterm infants in the prone position was Y(p)=56.84-0.38t; the gastric emptying rate equation for preterm infants in the supine position was Y(s)=82.48-0.43 t.
•Conclusions: The prone position is preferred over the supine position for nursing neonates in order to facilitate gastric emptying and reduce gastric residuals.