EFFECT OF BODY TILTING ON PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS IN STABLE VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT NEONATES

In babies of very low birth weight (< 1500 g) we studied the effect of head up tilting on oxygenation, respiratory rate, heart rate and blood pressure (n = 23), on gastric emptying (n = 10), and on weight gain (n = 6). Head up tilting to 45-degrees achieved the best oxygenation at the angles studied, and decreased the respiratory and heart rates; there was no significant change in blood pressure. Residue in the stomach was also significantly less at 45-degrees, and the neonates' weight gain was higher. We conclude that nursing stable very low birthweight infants with a higher head up tilt than is conventional may have some advantages.