Abstract
Background: Newborns’ development is a complicated process that is impacted by several variables. They include the gestational period, any underlying medical conditions, and the newborn’s nutrition, both in terms of quality and quantity. Postnatal development might differ significantly from one child to another as a result of various factors. It may be particularly difficult for preterm babies to remain in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) since they are more likely to have development delays even with proper feeding and supplements.
Aim: Evaluation of influence of nursing position on weight gain in preterm neonates under 32 weeks of gestational age.
Methods: This prospective observational research, which included a total of 22 participants, was carried out at Mayo Hospital. Preterm newborns with gestational ages under 32 weeks made up the study’s subjects. Infants had to be fully fed entirely and not need respiratory assistance in order to be included. The subjects’ gestations lasted between 27 and 32 weeks.
Results: The infants were randomly assigned to the prone or supine group in order to compare the effects of these two positions on weight gain. The infants’ weight gain was measured and recorded for analysis over three days. 63.6% of the infants in the prone position had gained weight on the first day of the study, compared to 59.1% of those in the supine position. Statistical analysis revealed that this difference was not statistically significant (P-value = 0.425), though. The results showed that 72.7% of infants in the prone position had gained weight by the second day, compared to 63.6% of infants in the supine position. Again, there was no discernible difference (P-value = 0.359). Compared to infants in the supine position, which had gained weight on day three, 68.2% of infants in the prone position had done so. Again, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P-value = 0.426).
Conclusions: To ensure that a baby receives the right nourishment for optimum growth and development, it is essential to master the skill of breastfeeding. It has been hypothesized that feeding preterm newborns while they are prone offers benefits for encouraging weight growth. Consequently, the purpose of this research was to determine if breastfeeding in the prone position as opposed to the supine affected weight growth. Analysis of the data, however, showed that the difference was not significant.
Keywords: prone nursing, supine, neonates