PURPOSE: The effect of body position (prone v supine) on neonatal withdrawal severity was evaluated in a study of 48 symptomatic newborns.

METHODS: Narcotic withdrawing infants were randomly assigned to prone (n=25) or supine-lying (n=23) groups immediately after initiation of withdrawal scoring. No other treatment parameter was varied. Peak withdrawal severity scores and rates of weight gain were compared with parametric and non-parametric statistics.

RESULTS: Peak withdrawal scores were significantly lower for the prone group [mean = 10.52 +/- 2.08)] than for the supine group [mean = 13.17+/- 2.03); p>.0001 by Wilcoxon 2-Sample Test]. Rate of weight gain did not differ significantly between the two groups [mean grams increase per day = 22.42 (supine), versus 15.63 (prone); p>.07 by Wilcoxon 2-Sample Test].

CONCLUSION: Prone positioning is associated with lower levels of withdrawal severity and is recommended as an effective non-pharmacologic, intervention for neonatal withdrawal.