Abstract

The effect of posture on gastro-oesophageal reflux was studied by giving 72 orogastric tube feeds to 18 low birthweight babies. Each infant was studied in each of 4 positions: prone, supine, right, and left lateral. Brilliant blue was added to feeds and reflux was determined by staining of a cotton thread opposite the holes in a feeding tube passing from the nose to the distal oesophagus. A comparison of the prone and supine positions showed that significantly less reflux occurred in the prone position.