Abstract
Background: A child's risk of dying is highest in the first 28 days of life (the neonatal period). The central function of Chest physiotherapy in ventilated neonates is to assist in the removal of tracheobronchial secretions, remove airway obstruction, reduce airway resistance, enhance gas exchange, and reduce the work of breathing. Positioning is used with the aim to improve of ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) matching, lung volumes and mucociliary clearance and to reduce the work of breathing (WOB). Objective: To find out effectiveness of Chest Physiotherapy in prone Position on Respiratory Functions in Ventilated Neonates. Method: 6 ventilated Neonates (n=6) between day 1 to day 28 fitting the inclusion criteria were selected. They received chest physiotherapy in prone position which was given to each participant in for 240 minutes/day in two divided sessions of 120 minutes each with a gap of 6 hours (10am -12 pm & 6pm – 8pm) for consecutive three days. (i.e. six intervention sessions). Primary outcomes were Oxygen saturation (SpO2), Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) & Peak Inspiratory Pressure (P.I.P.). Outcomes were recorded Pre & Post of Last (6th) 120 minutes session (0 Min & 120 Mins). Results: On comparison of three parameters in two groups using paired t test we found that there was significant difference (p < 0.05) in SpO2, PaO2 and P.I.P at baseline and post intervention. Conclusion: The study concluded that chest Physiotherapy combined with prone positioning is a cost effective, non-invasive and affordable intervention which has a significant impact on improvement of SpO2, PaO2 and PIPin ventilated neonates. A randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of this intervention seems warranted.