Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate sleeping position-dependent effects
on cerebral hemodynamics during apnea in preterm infants. To this end, polygraphic
studies were performed on 15 stable preterm infants lying prone and lying supine.
Changes in cerebral blood volume (ΔCBV) and in cerebral hemoglobin oxygenation (ΔcHbD)
in association with apnea were measured by near infrared spectroscopy. For comparison,
apnea in the prone position was matched for duration to apnea in the supine position.
A total number of 98 pairs of apnea were compared. The mean duration of apnea was
8.2±3 s. In both positions there was a predominance of decrease in CBV and cHbD in
association with apnea. The mean decrease of cHbD (−1.57±1.82 μmol/l) and of CBV (−0.120±0.137
ml/100g brain) in the supine position was significantly pronounced compared to prone
position (ΔcHbD: −1.18±1.77 μmol/l, ΔCBV: −0.080±0.095 ml/100 g brain). The degree
of ΔCBV and ΔHbD did not correlate with postconceptional or postnatal age (r2<0.01). In both positions there was a similar small decrease of SaO2 in association with apnea. In the supine position heart rate decreased slightly during
apnea, whereas in the prone position no change in heart rate could be observed. The
present study revealed a position-dependent different impact of apnea on cerebral
hemodynamics. With regard to cerebral blood volume and oxygenation in association
with apnea no negative effects of prone sleeping position could be observed in preterm
infants.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 3,
2001
Received in revised form:
June 19,
2001
Received:
December 1,
2000
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
