Effects of chest physiotherapy on blood pressure in preterm newborns

Abstract

Blood pressure (BP) oscillations in premature newborns are directly related to cerebral blood flow, but few studies assess the effects of standard physical therapy procedures on their BP. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of respiratory physiotherapy and endotracheal suctioning on premature newborn BP during the first week of life. Forty-two preterm newborns with mean birth weight of 101.68±274.16 g, mean gestational age 29.58±2.16 weeks, and receiving mechanical ventilation were studied; they were mostly female (57.1%) and presented hyaline membrane disease (90.4%). BP measurements were carried out at three moments: before (A) and after physiotherapy (B), and after endotracheal suctioning (C). Data were statistically analysed and significance level set at p<0.05. Mean values found for systolic, diastolic, and (average) BP in mmHg were: moment A, 71.32 x 40.56 (53.04); moment B, 69.93 x 39.41 (51.98); and moment C, 74.29 x 43.75 (54.82). Newborn BP thus remained within physiological values both after physiotherapy procedures and suctioning, hence these may be said to be harmless; endotracheal suctioning had a higher influence on premature newborn BP oscillations.