Physical activity programs for promoting bone mineralization and growth in preterm infants

Physical activity programs may promote moderate short-term weight gain and bone mineralization in preterm infants.

A Cochrane review included 11 studies with a total of 324 preterm infants (gestational age 26 to 34 weeks).

Four trials demonstrated moderate short-term benefits of physical activity on bone mineralization at completion of the physical activity program; data was not pooled for meta-analyses due to methodological differences. The only trial assessing long-term effects on bone mineralization showed no effect of physical activity administered during initial hospitalization on bone mineralization at 12 months corrected age. Meta-analysis from four trials demonstrated a positive effect of physical activity on daily weight gain (WMD 2.21 g/kg/d, 95% CI 1.23, 3.19). Data from four trials showed a positive effect on linear growth (WMD 0.12 cm/week, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.24) but not on head growth (WMD -0.03 cm/week, 95% CI -0.14 to 0.08) during the study period. The I² statistic suggested heterogeneity on the analysis of linear growth (p < 0.001, I² = 92%). None of the trials assessed fractures or other outcomes relevant to this review.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (inadequate allocation concealment) and by imprecise results (few patients and wide confidence intervals).

Ədəbiyyat

1. Schulzke SM, Kaempfen S, Trachsel D et al. Physical activity programs for promoting bone mineralization and growth in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2014;(4):CD005387.