Effect of right lateral position with head elevation on tracheal aspirate pepsin in ventilated preterm neonates: randomized controlled trial.

To evaluate the effect of right lateral positioning in comparison with supine positioning on tracheal aspirate pepsin levels as a marker of aspiration of gastric contents in ventilated preterm neonates. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 ventilated preterm neonates <35 weeks; 30 neonates were nursed in right lateral position for 6 hours while the other 30 neonates were nursed in supine position for 6 hours. Tracheal aspirate sample was obtained from each neonate in both the groups just after the end of 6 hours and pepsin level was measured.