Learning Objective #1: know the influence of different lying position upon physiological parameters in preterm.

Learning Objective #2: know that semiprone position is a better position for preterm.

---

The study aims to determine the influence of different lying positions on the preterm physiological parameters. Quasi-experimental design was used in this study. Sixty preterms were selected by convenient sampling from a neonatal intensive care unit at a medical center. Preterm who meet the inclusion criteria was randomly placed in four different positions by the researchers. After maintaining the position for 30 minutes, physiological parameters were recorded every minute for a total 30 minutes. The means of physiological parameters in four different lying positions including supine, lateral, prone or semiprone positions were as follow: heart rate, 156, 155, 155 and 155 bpm; respiratory rate, 45.4, 45.7, 45.2 and 45.3 bpm; oxygenation saturation, 96.2, 96.4, 97.0 and 97.3 %, respectively. A significant difference in oxygenation saturation was demonstrated among various lying positions (p < .001) with the use of ANOVA analysis. There were few episodes of vital signs of potential stress emerged during prone and semiprone positions compared to supine and lateral positions (p < .001). After adjustment the potential confounding factors by using GEE analysis, it showed that lying on semiprone position can significantly increase the oxygenation saturation (p < .001). This study demonstrated that preterm physiological parameters were more stable during lying on prone and semiprone position compared to that on supine or lateral position. The oxygenation saturation was higher but the occurrence of vital signs of potential stress was less frequent during semiprone position comparing to prone position, indicating that lying on semiprone position provided a better oxygenation for preterm.