[Effects of postural changes on blood pressure and pulse rate in neonates].

Information about the effect of body position on blood pressure (BP) in neonates is rare and controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the type of orthostatic reaction and it s incidence in a group of infants in relation to basal resting values of BP and heart rate (HR). BP and HR were measured in 125 full-term neonates in the supine position and in the 2nd minute after changing the position by lifting on arms to 90 degrees. The reactive values of BP and HR were significantly higher, p < 0.001 (71 +/- 12 compared to 66 +/- 9 Torr in systolic BP, 41 +/- 8 to 37 +/- 6 in diastolic BP, and 127 +/- 19 to 120 +/- 8.min-1 in HR). In the head-up position an increase in BP and HR was observed in about 70% of neonates, whereas their basal supine BP values of 66/36 Torr were significantly lower compared to the values of 69/40 Torr recorded in neonates whose BP decreased in the head-up position. These differences were significant (p < 0.01 syst. and p < 0.001 diast.). (Fig. 3, Ref. 15.).