Osteopatia em bebés Prematuros - Evidência Científica

Em Portugal esta realidade só poderá ser confirmada ou refutada quando existirem osteopatas nos serviços de neonatologia, tal como já existem em diversos países da Europa e continente Americano. Quando essa altura chegar os resultados poderão ser testados, quer a nível dos resultados na saúde, quer a nível de custos nos hospitais.

Os critérios de diagnóstico para a avaliação Osteopática estão focados em alterações de textura de tecido e cadeias fasciais, áreas de assimetria e desalinhamento, tal como a qualidade de movimento, o seu equilíbrio e organização. No tratamento de prematuros, durante os primeiros dias de vida, osteopatas utilizam diversas técnicas manuais com o objectivo de melhorar o diagnóstico e promover a saúde na presença e na ausência de doença óbvia.

No seguinte estudo (Link no final) avaliou-se a relação do tratamento Osteopático com o tempo de internamento necessário em bebés prematuros, assim como as consequências a nível de custos de saúde."Conclusões: Este estudo mostra evidências de que quanto mais cedo é fornecido tratamento Osteopático, menor tempo de internamento é necessário. Existe também uma associação positiva da Osteopatia com a redução global de custos dos cuidados de saúde em bebés."

The Effect of Optimally Timed Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Length of Hospital Stay in Moderate and Late Preterm Infants: Results from a RCT 

"Preterm birth, defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization as birth, that occurs in or before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy represents a substantial problem in perinatal medicine worldwide. 

Moderate preterm (MP) and late preterm (LP) infants have been loosely classified by current literature, as comprising the greatest proportion of the pretermpopulation. Extensive reviews address the current epidemiology, care, and outcomes of LP infants, documenting the overall impact on health care services. Although length of stay (LOS) for MP and LP infants is much less than that for extremely preterm infants, the impact in terms of hospital stays is similar because of the large volume of these two groups.

Preterm birth has been also associated with a negative socioeconomic impact. Mean hospital costs associated with LOS are approximately between US$1,000 for a term infant and US$40,000 for an infant born either moderately or late preterm. 

Noninvasive treatment aimed at reducing LOS of preterm infants and cost of neonatal care could well prove an appealing option worth investigating. 

Very little research has been conducted looking at the effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on preterm infants. In the setting of the NICU, data suggests that OMT improves gastrointestinal function reduces hospital stay,and enhances nipple feeding function.  

The present study was designed to yield accurate quantitative data on the effectiveness of OMT in preterm infants, especially those born either moderately or later preterm. The major findings in this population-based study of length of hospital stay in MP and LP infants were that OMT is effective in reducing LOS and the sooner treatment was received the sooner infants were discharged from hospital.

Methods. 110 newborns ranging from 32- to 37-week gestation were randomized to receive either OMT or usual pediatric care. Early, moderately early, and late OMT were defined as <4, <9, and <14 days from birth, respectively.

Conclusions: This study shows evidence that the sooner OMT is provided, the shorter their hospital stay is.There is also a positive association of OMT with overall reduction in cost of care."

Pizzolorusso, G. et al. (2014).Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative MedicineThe Effect of Optimally Timed Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Length of Hospital Stay in Moderate and late Preterm Infants: Results from a RCT, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, pp. 1-10.

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2014/243539/