Effect of Nursing in the Head Elevated Tilt Position (15°) on the Incidence of Bradycardic and Hypoxemic Episodes in Preterm Infants

We investigated whether nursing in the head elevated tilt position (HETP), compared with the horizontal position, has any effect on the incidence of bradycardic and hypoxemic episodes in preterm infants. Twelve spontaneously breathing preterm infants with idiopathic recurrent apnea were studied in a randomized controlled crossover trial. Nine infants were treated with aminophylline. Each spent a total of 24 hours in the horizontal prone position and a total of 24 hours in HETP (prone, 15 degrees). The position was changed in random order every 6 hours. Thoracic impedance, heart rate, and arterial oxygen saturation were recorded continuously. The frequency of isolated hypoxemia (arterial saturation