Related Experiment Videos
Supine interface pressure in children
I Solis1, T Krouskop, N Trainer
1Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Houston, TX 77030.
Insights
Foam overlays significantly reduce pressure in children, preventing pressure sores. Optimal protection shifts from the occipital to the sacral area as children age, requiring age-specific pressure relief strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Nursing
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Pressure sores are a concern in pediatric care.
- Standard mattresses may not adequately relieve pressure in children.
- Age-related changes in body structure influence pressure distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of 2-inch and 4-inch convoluted foam overlays in reducing interface pressures in children.
- To identify age-dependent pressure points in pediatric patients.
- To inform pediatric pressure injury prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Interface pressures were measured on 13 healthy children (10 weeks to 13.5 years).
- Measurements were taken on a standard mattress and 2-inch and 4-inch foam overlays.
- Pressure points assessed included occipital, sacral, and scapular areas.
Main Results:
- Significant pressure reduction was observed with foam overlays compared to standard mattresses (p < .001).
- Highest pressures were initially recorded on the occiput, decreasing with overlay use.
- Pressure migrated to the sacral area in older children and those with larger body surface area.
Conclusions:
- Convoluted foam overlays are effective in mitigating interface pressures in pediatric populations.
- Pressure distribution and peak pressure sites change with age in children, shifting from occipital to sacral areas.
- Pediatric pressure injury prevention requires age-specific interventions distinct from adult protocols.
Abstract:
The effectiveness of using 2-inch and 4-inch convoluted foam overlays to protect children from developing pressure sores was investigated in 13 healthy children ranging in age from ten weeks to 13.5 years. Interface pressures were measured under the occipital, sacral, and scapular areas of children as they lay on a standard mattress, then on 2-inch and 4-inch foam overlays. The differences in pressures between the occiput and scapula, occiput and sacrum, and scapula and sacrum were significant (p less than .001), with the highest pressures recorded under the occipital area. Occipital pressures decreased from 45.7mmHg on the standard mattress to 22.3mmHg on the 4-inch overlay in ages 0 to 2, 54.3mmHg to 30.5mmHg in ages 2 to 10, and 78.0mmHg to 42.4mmHg in ages 10 to 14. Sacral pressures were highest in older and larger children, increasing from 17mm Hg in ages 0 to 2 to 34mmHg in ages 10 to 14, and when body surface area was greater than 1m2. These results indicate that the site of greatest pressure changes with increasing age from the occipital area to the sacral area. Therefore, different pressure relief considerations are necessary in treating pediatric patients than in managing pressure under adults.