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Effects of prone and supine positions on sleep state and stress responses in preterm infants

T Jarus1, O Bart, G Rabinovich

  • 1Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health, Medical Faculty, Tel Aviv University, Israel.

Infant Behavior & Development
|March 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Placing preterm infants in the prone position promotes better sleep states and adaptive self-regulatory behaviors, compared to the supine position. This finding supports the prone position for infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Infant sleep research

Background:

  • Preterm infants often experience sleep disturbances.
  • Positioning can significantly impact infant behavior and development.
  • Understanding optimal positioning is crucial for neonatal intensive care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of prone versus supine positioning on sleep states.
  • To assess the influence of infant positioning on withdrawal and approach reactions.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for preterm infant care.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty-two preterm infants were studied over 48 hours.
  • Infant position (prone/supine) was alternated post-feeding.
  • Sleep states and behavioral reactions were monitored using Actigraphy and Naturalistic Observations of Newborn Behavior (NONB).

Main Results:

  • The prone position was associated with more approach reactions than withdrawal reactions.
  • The supine position showed comparable approach and withdrawal reactions.
  • Prone positioning facilitated more sleep patterns, while supine positioning led to more awake states.

Conclusions:

  • The prone position is recommended for preterm infants in the NICU.
  • Prone positioning supports longer periods of quality sleep.
  • This position aids in the development of adaptive self-regulatory behaviors in preterm infants.
Abstract

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