The Effect of Body Position on Gastric Residual in Preterm Infants

Studies have shown the effect of body position during and after bolus feeding upon gastric emptying. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of lying in prone position and right lateral position on gastric residuals. This study is a cross over clinical trial performed in Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital in 2009. One hundred infants were selected by simple random method divided into two groups. In first group, the infant was laid in right lateral position and then prone position at first gavages. Then the gastric residuals were measured at 1 and 2 hours after initiation of feeding. On the contrary, the infant of second group, at first gavages was laid in prone position and then right lateral position and the gastric residuals were measured at 1 and 2 hours after initiation of feeding. Finally the gastric residuals in both groups were compared. The gastric residual in prone and right lateral positions after gavages was reduced significantly (P<0.001). The result showed that the effects of both positions on gastric residual were equal and there were no significant differences in the amount of gastric residual between the two positions. Right lateral position and prone position have same effect on the gastric residual in preterm infants. Therefore, using of both positions after preterm infant gavages is recommended.