Working Out With Your Preemie to Prevent OOP

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

08 Dec 2007 07:42 AM

To be born premature is to be born at a disadvantage in life. Significant development happens in the last trimester of pregnancy and even the last few weeks. One major concern is osteopenia of prematurity. Some thirty percent of premature infants suffer from osteopenia which can cause bone fractures and rickets in infants and osteoporosis, later in life.

During the last trimester of pregnancy, the mom's body is making extra calcium and phosphorous for her baby; things that are extremely important to bone development. Obviously, premature babies are missing out on all those extra nutrients. Pediatric researchers are trying to find some solutions to help improve the outcome for preemies and their quality of life.

In Tel Aviv, pediatricians started to do therapeutic exercises with preemies including working with their wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles, knees, and hip joints. Workouts were done five times a day, approximately 10 minutes per session and administered five times per week for four weeks.

The results were very promising. The preemies who were in the exercise program, showed significant improvement in bone density (as measured by a bone density ultra sound.) Consequently they were gaining more weight. And if you're the parent of a preemie you know that gaining more weight is a sign of thriving.

The regimen is going to undergo a four and a half year longitudinal study. This is the first intervention program of its type. Typically osteopenia is treated with supplements of phosphorus and calcium added to either the breastmilk or an IV. However, researchers have noted that the improvement of the overall outcome is minimal. Conversely, mechanical 'strain' on joints has long been shown to improve bone density but has never been tested before in preemies. Initial results are promising and may render an entirely new protocol for treating preemies.

If you have recently given birth to a preemie and osteopenia is a concern in your case, you should consider asking your pediatrican about this new study and whether or not the protocol might be appropriate in your situation. If you have an infant with OOP, you should see an occupational therapist and see if working out may help improve your baby's bone density.

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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