Positioning as a conservative treatment option in infants with micrognathia and/or cleft

Evaluation and management of airway obstruction in prone position were reviewed from studies in infants with micrognathia and/or cleft palate, using polysomnography (PSG) or similar measures, and comparing prone against other positions. Most studies identified were case series from specialist referral centres. Airway obstruction appears more severe on PSG than clinical assessment, but there is no consensus for PSG definitions of mild, moderate or severe airway obstruction. Infants show individual variability in responses to positioning; sleep quality tends to improve when prone, but 22-25% have better respiratory outcomes when supine. Most centres recommend home monitoring if advising that an infant be placed prone to manage their airway obstruction. In conclusion, in case series, success rates for managing infant airway obstruction by prone positioning vary from 12 to 76%. PSG studies comparing prone with other sleep positions can help differentiate which infants show improved airway obstruction and/or sleep quality when positioned prone.