Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of intermittent prone position on growth and sleep quality of premature infants. Methods A total of 96 premature babies admitted to the Neonatology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from September 2022 to December 2023 were selected as the study objects, and were included in the observation group(n=48)and the control group(n=48)according to random number table method. The control group took the conventional supine position, and the observation group took the intermittent prone position. After the end of the experiment, the sleep assessment indicators, NANB neurobehavioral test scores, physical growth and development indicators(body mass, length, head circumference)and satisfaction of parents of premature babies were compared between the two groups. Results The sleep quality of preterm infants in observation group was generally higher, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). At 30 d after birth, the scores of multiple neurobehavioral tests in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, with statistical significance(P<0.05). At 30 months after birth, the physical growth and development indexes of preterm infants in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group, with statistical significance(P<0.05). Compared with the control group, parents of children in the observation group were more satisfied with the intervention effect, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusion Intermittent prone position can greatly improve the sleep quality of premature children, increase sleep duration, and promote physical growth and neurological development of children.

Key words: intermittent prone position, premature infant, growth and development, NANB neurobehavioral test score, sleep quality, supine position, prone position