Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

Gastric residual in growing preterm infants: effect of body position

Shlomi Cohen1, Dror Mandel, Francis B Mimouni

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv-Sourasky Medial Center, and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

American Journal of Perinatology
|April 16, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Body position impacts gastric residuals in preterm infants. The right lateral decubitus position showed the least gastric residual, suggesting improved gastric emptying for preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Nutrition

Background:

  • Inconsistent findings exist regarding body position's effect on gastric emptying and residual volumes in infants.
  • Understanding optimal positioning is crucial for managing feeding intolerance in preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of different body positions on gastric residual volumes in preterm infants.
  • To test the hypotheses that right lateral decubitus reduces residuals compared to left lateral decubitus, and prone position reduces residuals compared to supine.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective randomized triple crossover clinical trial involving healthy preterm infants.
  • Gastric residuals were measured at 1 and 3 hours after bolus feeding in four positions: supine, prone, left lateral decubitus, and right lateral decubitus.

Main Results:

  • At 1 hour post-feeding, right lateral decubitus resulted in significantly less gastric residual compared to left lateral decubitus.
  • The prone position also yielded less gastric residual than the left lateral decubitus position.
  • Gastric residuals at 1 hour, in decreasing order, were: left lateral decubitus, supine, prone, and right lateral decubitus.

Conclusions:

  • The right lateral decubitus position appears most beneficial for minimizing gastric residuals in preterm infants.
  • Prone positioning may also offer advantages over supine positioning for reducing gastric residuals.
  • Body positioning is a significant factor influencing gastric emptying and feeding tolerance in this population.

More Related Videos

Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation05:50

Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Published on: September 22, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Anatomical Positions01:11

Anatomical Positions

In anatomy, several standard anatomical positions are used as references for describing the position and orientation of different body parts. These positions help provide a common frame of reference when discussing anatomical structures. The anatomical position is the standard reference point for describing the body's position and orientation. In this position:
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube through...
Hiatal Hernia01:25

Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia is the abnormal protrusion of the stomach or other abdominal organs through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity.Normally, the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) lies below the diaphragm and is supported by the phrenoesophageal membrane, the diaphragmatic crura, and connective tissues. Weakening of these structures—due to aging, congenital defects like a short esophagus, or increased intra-abdominal pressure from coughing, obesity, pregnancy, or heavy...
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding01:26

Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding

Enteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly to the stomach or small intestine through a tube. This method is appropriate for patients who cannot eat but still have a functioning digestive system. It is also beneficial for individuals with swallowing difficulties, anorexia, malabsorption, or those who have undergone gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
Pyloric Obstruction01:11

Pyloric Obstruction

Pyloric obstruction, also referred to as gastric outlet obstruction, is a condition characterized by narrowing or blockage at the pylorus—the muscular valve regulating the flow of stomach contents into the duodenum. When this passage becomes impaired, the stomach cannot effectively empty its contents into the small intestine. This disruption leads to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including early satiety, bloating, epigastric pain, postprandial nausea, persistent vomiting, and...