HOB elevation

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Specializes in NICU.

Our NICU is looking for a product to recommend to parents when babies are sent home with the HOB elevated. Has anyone used a wedge or riser under crib legs that they feel is safe and effective?

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The AAP does not recommend elevating the HOB for infants. Not even those with reflux.

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Specializes in NICU.

"Elevating the head of the infant's crib while the infant is supine is not recommended. It is ineffective in reducing gastroesophageal reflux; in addition,it might result in the infant sliding to the foot of the crib into a position that might compromise respiration." AAP, 2011.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2011/10/12/peds.2011-2284.full.pdf

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Specializes in NICU.

I didn't mean to write a lengthy post but....

I am well aware of the AAP guidelines on safe sleep environments. In my 30 years of level 3 NICU experience I have seen just a handful of babies go home in elevated, prone positions for sleep. Not just for reflux but for airway management of conditions like laryngomalacia or Pierre robin syndrome.

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Specializes in NICU.

We too recently had a head cooling baby that was pretty brain damaged and had a hard time handling secretions. He would turn blue and desat as soon as he was laid flat so he went home on a wedge. I'm not sure the brand or anything our OTs handle ordering them.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

We have had Neuro kids go home elevated. Our OT/PT set up some sort of wedge for them.

As we all know, there is always an exception to every rule. Neuro kids, trached kids are just a few.

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