Effect of Right Position During and After Feeding on Gastric Residual Volume and Regurgitation Episodes Among Preterm Infants

Body position affects the gastric emptying rate and feeding regimen manipulation have been
shown to affect the episodes of regurgitation. Aim: to investigate the effect of right position
during and after on gastric residual volume and regurgitation episodes among preterm
infants. Method: a quasi-experimental design was utilized. A convenient sample of 90
preterm infants on gavage feeding was randomly allocated into three groups (30 supine
position, 30 right 1 position after feeding time and 30 right 2 position during and after
feeding time). The study was conducted at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of El
Manial and Pediatric University Hospital, Cairo University Hospitals. The following tool
utilized to collect the required data: preterm infant's characteristics sheet and record for
gastric residual volume, regurgitation episodes and feeding. Results: More than half of the
preterm infants in supine and half of them in right1 and right 2 groups were males. There is
no statistically significant difference in the mean gestational age of preterm infants in supine,
right 1 and right 2 groups. The mean gastric residual for preterm infants in right 2 position is
the least volume than in right 1 and supine positions. Conclusion: A highly statistically
significant difference was found in the mean of gastric residual volume in supine, right 1 and
right 2 positions at different feeding time. No significant difference was detected in
occurrence of regurgitation between the three positions while the least occurrence of
regurgitation in right 2 position when compared to other positions. Recommendation: The
current study recommended that preterm infants could be placed in right side during and
after gavage feeding.