Some evidence suggests that physical activity programs might promote short-term weight gain and bone mineralization in preterm infants .
Current evidence does not support the routine use of physical activity programs in preterm infants .
BACKGROUND Lack of physical stimulation may contribute to metabolic bone disease of preterm infants , result ing in poor bone mineralization and growth .
Physical activity programs combined with adequate nutrition might help to promote bone mineralization and growth .
OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to assess whether physical activity programs in preterm infants  improve bone mineralization and growth and reduce the risk of fracture .
Subgroup analysis : • Given that the smallest infants are most vulnerable for developing osteopenia ( Bishop 1999 ) , a subgroup analysis was planned for infants with birth weight < 1000 g.•  Calcium and phosphorus intake may affect an infant 's ability to increase bone mineral content ( Kuschel 2004 ) .
Randomized trial of nutrient-enriched formula versus standard formula for postdischarge preterm infants.
OBJECTIVES Preterm infants are frequently discharged from the hospital growth retarded and show reduced growth throughout childhood . In a large efficacy and safety trial , we tested the hypothesis that nutritional intervention in the first 9 months postterm would reverse postdischarge growth deficits and improve neurodevelopment without adverse safety outcomes . PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION Two hundred eighty-four infants ( mean gestation : 30.9 weeks ) were studied ; 229 were r and omly assigned a  protein , energy , mineral , and micronutrient-enriched postdischarge formula ( PDF ; N = 113 ) or st and ard term formula  ( TF ; N = 116 ) from discharge ( mean 36.5 weeks ' postmenstrual age ) . A reference group ( N = 65 ) was  breastfed until at least 6 weeks ' postterm . Outcome measures . Anthropometry was performed at 6 weeks and 3 , 6 , 9 , and 18 months . Development was measured at 9 months ( Knobloch , Passamanick , and Sherrard 's developmental screening inventory ) and 18 months ( Bayley Scales of Infant Development II ; primary outcome ) postterm . RESULTS At 9 months , compared with the TF group , those fed PDF were heavier ( difference 370 g ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] : 84 - 660 ) and longer ( difference 1.1 cm ; 95 % CI : 0.3 - 1.9 ) ; the difference in length persisted at 18 months ( difference 0.82 cm ; 95 % CI : -0.04 - 1.7 ) . There was no effect on head circumference . The effect of diet was greatest in males ; at 9 months length deficit with TF was 1.5 cm ( 95 % CI : 0.3 - 2.7 ) , and this remained at 18 months ( 1.5 cm [ 95 % CI : 0.3 - 2.7 ] ) . There was no significant difference in developmental scores at 9 or 18 months , although PDF infants had a 2.8 ( -1.3 - 6.8 ) point advantage in Bayley motor score scales . At 6 weeks ' postterm , exclusively breastfed infants were already 513 g ( 95 % CI : 310 - 715 ) lighter and 1.6 cm ( 95 % CI : 0.8 - 2.3 ) shorter than the PDF group , and they remained smaller up to 9 months ' postterm . CONCLUSIONS 1 ) Improving postdischarge nutrition in the first 9 months may " reset " subsequent growth-at least until 18 months for body length . We intend to follow-up the children at older ages . The observed efficacy of PDF was not associated with adverse safety outcomes . 2 ) We can not reject the hypothesis that postdischarge nutrition benefits motor development and this requires additional study . 3 ) Our data raise the possibility that breastfed postdischarge preterm infants may require nutritional supplementation , currently under investigation
Some evidence suggests that physical activity programs might promote short-term weight gain and bone mineralization in preterm infants .
Current evidence does not support the routine use of physical activity programs in preterm infants .
BACKGROUND Lack of physical stimulation may contribute to metabolic bone disease of preterm infants , result ing in poor bone mineralization and growth .
Physical activity programs combined with adequate nutrition might help to promote bone mineralization and growth .
OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to assess whether physical activity programs in preterm infants  improve bone mineralization and growth and reduce the risk of fracture .
Subgroup analysis : • Given that the smallest infants are most vulnerable for developing osteopenia ( Bishop 1999 ) , a subgroup analysis was planned for infants with birth weight < 1000 g.•  Calcium and phosphorus intake may affect an infant 's ability to increase bone mineral content ( Kuschel 2004 ) .