The influence of lateral and supine position on bacterial colonization of endotracheal tube in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit.

Objective: Recent data suggest that during mechanical ventilation, lateral patient position (in which the endotracheal tube is horizontal) decreases the incidence of bacterial colonization of ventilated neonates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of lateral and supine position on bacterial colonization of endotracheal tube in neonates.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, clinical trial with 31 intubated neonates (intubated within 48 hours after birth); sixteen neonates were positioned supine (supine group), and fifteen were maintained in the lateral position (lateral group).