The American Academy of Pediatrics advised (1992) supine or side sleeping positioning for newborn infants due to an increased sudden infant death (SIDS) risk in the prone position. However, prone positioning in BPD infants improves oxygenation at 32-36 weeks of gestation. Because the SIDS risk is elevated in preterm and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) infants, it is not known if it is better to recommend that BPD infants sleep supine or prone. To answer this, we studied pulmonary mechanics (sesormedics 2600), and polysomnography in prone and supine positions at postconceptional age of 38 weeks, mean birth weight of 1287 gms (range 850-1740) and mean GA of 29 wks (range 25-32). Pulmonary functions results (n=5): Table All data mean±SEM fortidal volume(VT), FunctionalResidualCapacity(FRC), Compliance(Crs)and specific compliance (specificCrs)

Table 1 No caption available.
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Polysomnographic results (n=5) Table

Table 2 No caption available.
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There was no difference in pulmonary mechanics, oxygenation, apneic episodes, or periodic breathing during sleep in prone and supine positions. We conclude that BPD infants, who are stable for home care, do not experience hypoxia or worsening of pulmonary mechanics in supine position during sleep. We speculate that it is safe to recommend supine sleeping position for BPD infants.