PLoS One, 2015/04, 10(4):e0123530. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123530, type of study: ,rct,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Free full text   (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0123530)

Keywords:

gestational age [2]
infant [289]
newborn [77]
premature [20]
low birth weight [3]
length of stay [32]
visceral osteopathy [99]
meconium [5]
randomized controlled trial [947]

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: To determine whether the complementary approach of visceral manipulative osteopathic treatment accelerates complete meconium excretion and improves feeding tolerance in very low birth weight infants. METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial in premature infants with a birth weight <1500 g and a gestational age <32 weeks who received a visceral osteopathic treatment 3 times during their first week of life or no treatment. RESULTS: Passage of the last meconium occurred after a median of 7.5 days (95% confidence interval: 6-9 days, n = 21) in the intervention group and after 6 days (95% confidence interval: 5-9 days, n = 20,) in the control group (p = 0.11). However, osteopathic treatment was associated with a 8 day longer time to full enteral feedings (p = 0.02), and a 34 day longer hospital stay (Median = 66 vs. 100 days i.e.; p=0.14). Osteopathic treatment was tolerated well and no adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Visceral osteopathic treatment of the abdomen did not accelerate meconium excretion in VLBW (very low birth weight)-infants. However infants in the osteopathic group had a longer time to full enteral feedings and a longer hospital stay, which could represent adverse effects. Based on our trial results, we cannot recommend visceral osteopathic techniques in VLBW-infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials.gov: NCT02140710.