INFLUENCE OF BODY POSITION AND ITS CHANGEMENT ON LUNG-FUNCTION OF VENTILATED NEONATES

We studied 21 intubated premature infants (wts 800-2800 g) with respir atory distress syndrome between day 2 and 10 to evaluate the effect of body position on lung mechanics and gas exchange. The dynamic complia nce of the total respiratory system was similar in the prone and supin e position. When the infant was turned from the supine or the prone po sition to the other one, a significant improvement of oxygenation was seen temporarily. Positioning did not significantly affect the dynamic compliance, the minute volume or PCO2. In circulatory stable prematur e infants a change of the body position probably alters the regional v entilation to perfusion ratio and leads to a reduction of intrapulmona ry venous admixture.