Effect of Assisted Exercise on Musculoskeletal System and Growth in Preterm Infants
Osteopenia Prematurity
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Osteopenia Prematurity
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Preterm infants (gestational age <37 completed weeks) who did not receive physical therapy for any indication other than osteopenia of prematurity (e.g. severe contractures);
- Birth weight ≤ 1.500gm;
- Body size appropriate for gestational age;
- Postnatal age of ≥1 week with medically stable condition and favorable evolution that is presenting no associated diseases besides prematurity;
- Tolerating enteral feeds of either fortified breast milk or preterm formula at or above 100 kcal/kg/d.
- Not requiring oxygen or mechanical ventilation at the start of the exercise protocol.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Congenital or acquired anomaly of the Respiratory tract (i.e., diaphragmatic hernia, pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary sequestration, bronchogenic cysts);
- Other major congenital anomalies (congenital heart disease, neural tube defect, omphalocele, trisomy, etc.);
- Premature infants diagnosed with serious periventricular hemorrhaging (degrees 3 and 4) or serious sepsis;
- Use of medications (diuretics, methylxanthines and corticosteroids); Infants who had received major surgery within the first two weeks of life
Sites / Locations
- Ain shams university hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Other
physical exercise group
Control group
For the exercise group, Intervention by doing physical exercise. systematic physical activity programs consisting of range-of-motion exercises with gentle compression, extension and flexion of all joints of both bilateral upper extremities; including the shoulder, elbow, and wrist and lower extremities; including the hip, knee and ankle, with a total of 12 joints. Each activity was about 10 min a day and was carried out 5 times per week for 4 weeks. This program was started after 1 week of birth. Physical activity continued until discharge from hospital.
Other routine care activities such as bathing (every day) and kangaroo care (30 minutes/day), will be done for both the control