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Assisted Physical Exercise for Improving Bone Strength in Preterm Infants Less than 35 Weeks Gestation: A Randomized
Subhash Chandra Shaw1, Mari Jeeva Sankar1, Anu Thukral1
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Indian Pediatrics
|December 16, 2017
Summary
Daily assisted physical exercise did not improve bone strength or growth in preterm infants born between 27 and 34 weeks gestation. The study found no significant differences in bone speed of sound, anthropometry, or biochemical markers between exercise and control groups.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Preterm infants (27-34 weeks gestation) are at risk for bone health issues.
- Early interventions are crucial for optimizing growth and development in vulnerable neonates.
- The efficacy of physical exercise on bone development in preterm infants requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of daily assisted physical exercise on bone strength in preterm infants.
- To compare bone parameters at 40 weeks postmenstrual age between infants receiving exercise and those receiving routine care.
- To assess secondary outcomes including anthropometry and biochemical markers.
Main Methods:
- Open-label randomized controlled trial involving 50 preterm neonates (27-34 weeks gestation).
- Exercise group received daily 10-15 minute assisted range-of-motion exercises from one week of age.
- Control group received routine neonatal care without specific physical interventions.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in tibial bone speed of sound (a measure of bone strength) between the exercise and control groups (2858 vs. 2791 m/s, P=0.38).
- Anthropometric measurements (weight, length, head circumference) were comparable between groups.
- Biochemical parameters (calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase) showed no significant differences.
Conclusions:
- Daily assisted physical exercise, initiated in the first week of life, does not enhance bone strength in preterm infants.
- The intervention showed no beneficial effects on anthropometric or biochemical parameters at 40 weeks postmenstrual age.
- Further research may explore different exercise protocols or interventions for preterm bone health.
