Tummy time for tiny lungs: study tests prone position for sick infants
NCT ID NCT02602678
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether placing infants with severe bronchiolitis on their stomach (prone) while on breathing support reduces their work of breathing. Sixteen babies under 6 months old were randomly assigned to start either on their back or stomach, then switched after an hour. Researchers measured breathing effort using a small pressure probe in the esophagus.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If results show benefit, it could support using prone positioning to ease breathing in infants with severe bronchiolitis.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study (16 infants) that only measures short-term effects. Findings may not apply to all infants or change standard care.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Nov 2015
- Finished
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Jan 2016
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Up to 6 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Infant \< 6 months * Admitted in the pediatric intensive care unit of the Femme-Mère-Enfant hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France * With severe acute viral bronchiolitis requiring ventilatory support (mWCAS \> 4 and/or and or FiO2\> 40% and/or hypercapnic acidosis (pH\<7.30 and/or pCO2\>8 kPa)) * Signed informed consent by the two parents or the owner of parental authority Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic respiratory, neuromuscular, ENT or cardiac disease * Contraindication for placement of esophageal probe (esophageal surgery, varices, …) * Children requiring invasive ventilation (more than 3 significant apneas in 1 hour, decreased consciousness, …) * Children not affiliated to a social security scheme
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hospices Civils de Lyon
Bron, 69500, France