Prone positioning for infants with severe respiratory distress

Short-Term Effect of Prone Positioning in Infants with Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Not applicable Interventional Medical University of Vienna · NCT05002478

This study is testing if putting infants with severe breathing problems on their stomachs helps them breathe better after receiving treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment14 (estimated)
AgesN/A to 12 Months
SexAll
SponsorMedical University of Vienna Academic / other
Locations1 site (Vienna)
Trial IDNCT05002478 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the short-term effects of placing infants with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a prone position compared to a supine position after surfactant administration. It will measure oxygenation parameters and utilize electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and lung ultrasonography (LUS) to assess lung function in mechanically ventilated infants. The research focuses on infants hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Medical University of Vienna. The goal is to determine if prone positioning can improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are infants aged over 36 weeks (corrected gestational age) and under 24 months who are intubated and mechanically ventilated for ARDS.

Not a fit: Patients who have required oxygen supplementation to maintain adequate oxygen saturation in the weeks prior to hospitalization may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance oxygenation and overall respiratory function in infants suffering from severe ARDS.

How similar studies have performed: While prone positioning has shown promise in adult populations, data on its effectiveness in pediatric patients with ARDS is still conflicting, making this approach somewhat novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients hospitalized at Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Medical University Vienna.
* Patients aged \>36 weeks (corrected gestational age) and \<24 months.
* Patient intubated and mechanically ventilated for at least 6 hours, with an expected requirement of invasive ventilatory support for at least 12 hours.
* Clinical picture strongly suggestive for acute bronchiolitis or pneumonia (fever, fine crackles, prolonged expiration, lung hyperinflation and/or findings of new infiltrates consistent with acute pulmonary parenchymal disease on chest X-ray).
* Severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), defined by OSI ≥12.3 (wean FIO2 to maintain SpO2 ≤ 97% to calculate oxygen saturation index).
* Written informed consent obtained from parents.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinical context

  * Need for O2 supplementation to maintain SpO2\>94% in the 4 weeks preceding hospitalization in the PICU/NICU
  * Cyanotic congenital heart disease Cardiogenic pulmonary edema
  * Severe pulmonary hypertension
  * Untreated pneumothorax
  * Severe neurological abnormalities
  * Other severe congenital anomalies such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  * Ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or limitation of life support
* Contradictions for prone positioning (adapted from Guerin, C., et al., Prone positioning in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. N Engl J Med, 2013. 368(23): p. 2159-68):

  * Intracranial pressure \>30 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) in supine position or cerebral perfusion pressure \<60 mmHg
  * Massive hemoptysis requiring an immediate surgical or interventional radiology procedure
  * Tracheal surgery or sternotomy during the previous 15 days
  * Serious facial trauma or facial surgery during the previous 15 days
  * Deep venous thrombosis treated for less than 2 days
  * Cardiac pacemaker inserted in the last 2 days
  * Unstable spine, femur, or pelvic fractures
  * Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) before inclusion
  * Lung transplantation
  * Burns on more than 20% of the body surface
* Other non-inclusion criteria

  * Indication not to attempt resuscitation
  * Patient already recruited for other clinical studies
  * Patients who already received surfactant in the last 4 weeks
  * Thoracic skin lesions or wounds on the thorax, where the EIT-electrode-belt would be placed

Where this trial is running

Vienna

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress SyndromeSurfactant DysfunctionInfantAcute Respiratory Distress SyndromeElectrical Impedance TomographyLung UltrasonographyProne PositionInfants
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.