Effect of physiotherapy on the promotion of bone mineralization in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial.

Preterm infants have a low level of bone mineralization compared to those born at term. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of reflex locomotion therapy (RLT) on bone mineralization and growth in preterm infants and compare its effect to other physiotherapy procedures. Forty-six preterm infants born at 29-34 weeks were randomized into three groups: one group received RLT (n = 17); the other group received passive movements with gentle joint compression (n = 14); and the control group received massages (n = 15). All the treatments were performed at the neonatal unit for one month. The main outcome measure was bone mineralization, which was measured using the tibial speed of sound (Tibial-SOS). All the groups were similar in terms of gestational age (31.8 ± 1.18), birth weight (1,583.41 ± 311.9), and Tibia-SOS (1,604.7 ± 27.9) at the beginning of the intervention. At the end of the study, significant differences were found among the groups in the Tibial-SOS [F(4,86) = 2.77, p = 0.049, ηp2 = 0.114] in terms of the benefit to the RLT group. In conclusion, RLT has been effective at improving Tibial-SOS levels and has been more effective than other physical therapy modalities; therefore, it could be considered an effective physiotherapeutic modality for the prevention and treatment of osteopenia from prematurity.

Effect of physical therapy on bone remodelling in preterm infants: a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants have a low level of bone mineralization compared to those born at term, since 80% of calcium incorporation occurs at the end of pregnancy. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of reflex locomotion therapy on bone modeling and growth in preterm infants and to compare its effect with those of other Physiotherapy modalities. METHODS: A multicentre randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted (02/2016 - 07/2020). 106 preterm infants born at the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical Hospital, the General University Hospital of Elche and the Torrecárdenas University Hospital of Almería, between 26 and 34 weeks with hemodynamic stability, complete enteral nutrition and without any metabolic, congenital, genetic, neurological or respiratory disorders were evaluated for inclusion. Infants were randomly assigned to three groups: one group received reflex locomotion therapy (EGrlt); another group received passive mobilizations with gentle joint compression (EGpmc); and the control group received massage (CG). All treatments were carried out in the neonatal units lasting one month. The main outcome measure was bone formation and resorption measured with bone biomarkers. A mixed ANOVA was used to compare the results of bone biomarkers, and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Infants were randomized to EGrlt (n = 38), EGpmc (n = 32), and CG (n = 36). All groups were similar in terms of gender (p = 0.891 female 47.2%), gestational age (M = 30.753, SD = 1.878, p = 0.39) and birth weight (M = 1413.45, SD = 347.36, p = 0.157). At the end of the study, significant differences were found between the groups in their interaction in bone formation, measured with osteocalcin [F (2,35) = 4.92, p = 0.013, ηp2 = 0.043], in benefit of the EGrlt. CONCLUSIONS: Reflex locomotion therapy has been effective in improving bone formation, more so than other Physiotherapy modalities. Therefore, reflex locomotion therapy could be considered one of the most effective physiotherapeutic modalities for the prevention and treatment of osteopenia of prematurity. TRIAL REGISTRSTION: Trial retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. First posted on 22/04/2020. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04356807 .

[Occupational exposures, diet and storing: Recommendations to reduce environmental pollutants in breastfeeding]. / Exposiciones laborales, dieta y envasado: recomendaciones para reducir los contaminantes medioambientales en la lactancia materna.

The pollution of the planet also reaches the breastfeeding ecosystem, one of the most intimate and inviolable that links us as an animal species to the rest of mammals. Nursing mothers may be concerned about whether the quality of their milk will be adequate for their baby and whether environmental pollutants through work, diet, and storing may adversely affect their child. Breast milk is a source of exposure to environmental pollutants, and at the same time it counteracts much of the effects of these exposures. An approach based on the principles of reality and precaution of environmental health to avoid, reduce or eliminate the production and use of harmful chemicals during pregnancy and lactation would improve the human and planetary health for the offspring.