Physical therapy for neonates with respiratory dysfunction.

Chest physical therapy for neonates with pulmonary dysfunction is a growing specialty of physical therapy practice. The purpose of this article is to provide physical therapists current information regarding chest physical therapy for the newborn infant. The neonatal diagnoses for which chest physical therapy is useful or has good rationale are discussed. Common complications are reviewed that affect physical therapy and medical treatment for infants with respiratory diseases and prematurity. Specific indications, contraindications, and precautions for physical therapy techniques are listed. Chest physical therapy evaluation and treatment are described and rationale for the application of various techniques is provided. Literature is reviewed dealing with the effects of chest physical therapy on neonates with pulmonary dysfunction. The strengths and weaknesses of each reviewed study are analyzed and suggestions for direction of future research for physical therapists are provided.