Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2025
03:14
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Success of Ultrasound-Guided Neuraxial Anesthesia in Cases with Difficult Anatomy
Published on: January 31, 2025
402
Positioning for lumbar puncture in newborn infants
Sara Pessano1, Matteo Bruschettini2,3, Marcus Glenton Prescott4
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department Mother and Child, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 23, 2023
Summary
The lateral decubitus position for lumbar puncture in newborns may not significantly change success rates compared to the sitting position but increases risks of bradycardia and oxygen desaturation. Further research is needed to confirm benefits and harms.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric procedures
- Clinical research methodology
Background:
- Lumbar puncture (LP) is a common diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in newborns, with a high failure rate impacting patient outcomes.
- The choice of patient positioning, primarily lateral decubitus versus sitting, can influence LP success and safety.
- Uncertainty exists regarding the optimal position for improved newborn outcomes during LP.
Conclusions:
- Lateral decubitus position offers little advantage in first-attempt success over the sitting position in newborns and may increase adverse events like bradycardia.
- Evidence suggests lateral decubitus may be less successful than the prone position for initial lumbar puncture attempts.
- Further research with validated pain scales is recommended to fully understand the benefits, harms, and patient experience across different lumbar puncture positions in neonates.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Anatomical Positions
10.2K
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...
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
10.2K
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
439
Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
439