Related Experiment Videos
Oxygen saturation in premature neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in a hammock
V Zanardo1, D Trevisanuto, C Dani
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Padua, Italy.
Insights
Premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) may experience severe hypoxemia in hammock positions. This posture, while beneficial for development, can worsen oxygen desaturation in these vulnerable neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common complication in premature neonates, often associated with borderline hypoxemia.
- Postural changes can influence oxygen saturation levels in infants with BPD.
- Hammock positioning is explored for its potential benefits in neuromotor and relational development of preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether preterm infants with BPD experience severe hypoxemia (SaO2 < 85%) when placed in a hammock.
- To compare oxygen saturation levels in hammock versus non-hammock positions in infants with BPD.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen pulse oximetry recordings were obtained from 15 preterm infants with BPD.
- Oxygen saturation (SaO2) was measured before, during, and after a 15-minute hammock placement.
- Infants served as their own controls, and all were receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannulas.
Main Results:
- Oxygen saturation (SaO2) significantly worsened in the hammock position compared to pre- and post-hammock positions (p < 0.001 and p < 0.02, respectively).
- The percentage of time with SaO2 < 85% increased to 24% in the hammock, compared to 14% before and 15% after.
- Mean SaO2 values were comparable in pre- and post-hammock positions but significantly lower during hammock use.
Conclusions:
- The hammock posture may lead to severe hypoxemia in oxygen-dependent preterm infants with BPD.
- The potential neurodevelopmental benefits of hammock positioning may be limited by the risk of significant oxygen desaturation.
- Careful monitoring of oxygenation is crucial for BPD infants when considering hammock use.
Abstract:
Premature neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) frequently present borderline hypoxemia and the risk for oxygen desaturation may increase in relation to the posture. Our aim was to see if infants with BPD experience severe hypoxemia (SaO2 < 85%) in a hammock, a 'containing' posture considered advantageous to neuromotor and relational development of the preterm. Fifteen pulse oximetry recordings (Ohmeda B105 3760 Pulse Oximeter) were obtained in 15 subjects (range of gestational age and postnatal age 27-30 and 33-48 weeks, respectively; range of birth weight and body weight at entrance to the study 0.64-1.35 and 0.97-2.24 kg, respectively) before, during and after placement in a hammock; each testing period lasted 15 min, and each baby served as his or her own control. BPD preterm infants were receiving oxygen therapy by continuous flow standard nasal cannulas (FiO2 > 25%, < 40%). The analysis of the data, that have a rough gaussian distribution, indicates a worsening of SaO2 in the hammock position. In fact, mean +/- SEM, median and range of the SaO2 values in pre- and posthammock position are comparable, but are significantly different at 99.9% confidence level (CL) in prehammock vs. hammock posture and at 98% CL in posthammock vs. hammock posture. Moreover, the percent of time with SaO2 < 85% during the periods recorded increased about 10 +/- 5% in a hammock (24 +/- 4%), in comparison to pre- (14 +/- 3%) and posthammock position (15 +/- 3%). These results suggest that oxygen-dependent BPD preterm infants in the hammock posture may experience severe hypoxemia that in part limits the possible advantages of the 'containment'.