We examined pulmonary mechanics in newborn infants with birthweight (BW)≤1500 g who were receiving skin to skin care (SSC). These infants, clothed only with a diaper and a hat, were held at a 45° angle, in direct skin to skin contact with the parent's bare chest. We determined whether position had an effect on respiratory dynamics as measured by calibrated Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (Respitrace Plus, NIMS, Fl). The following were measured: tidal volume (Vt), rib cage contribution (%RC), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), oxygen saturation (%SpO2), and indices of thoraco-abdominal synchrony - labor breathing index (LBI), phase angle and phase relation (Ph rel). These measurements were made during quiet sleep in 5 different positions: prone and supine in an isolette or basinette, prone and supine during SSC, and supine in a parent's arms, wrapped in a blanket(traditional holding - TH).

Results: 12 infants were studied. Gestational age: 25.5±2 weeks; BW: 824±293 grams; weight at time of study: 1938±555 grams; day of life at time of study: 81±26 days: days since SSC had started 45±16 The results (mean±SD) of the respiratory dynamics are shown in the table below. There were no significant differences in the parameters measured in the 5 different positions except for a small decrease in SpO2 in the TH position as compared to the 4 other positions (ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests).

Table 1 No caption available.
Full size table

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