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Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine in very-low-birth-weight infants: a longitudinal study
H Ichiba1, H Shintaku, M Fujimaru
1Department of Pediatrics, Osaka City University Medical School, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abenoku, Osaka 545-8586, Japan.
Insights
Bone mineral density (BMD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is initially low but rapidly increases. This study found that VLBW infants’ lumbar spinal BMD can normalize by two years of age.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are at risk for osteopenia.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) development is crucial during infancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in lumbar spinal bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
- To compare BMD in VLBW infants with that of normal birth weight infants.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study utilizing repeated dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
- Inclusion of 61 Japanese VLBW infants (birthweight 426-1498 g) from 40 weeks postconception to 3 years.
- Comparison with control groups of infants with higher birth weights (1500-1999 g, 2000-2499 g, >2500 g).
Main Results:
- BMD in VLBW infants was significantly lower at 40 weeks postconception compared to controls (0.085 g/cm² vs. 0.132-0.196 g/cm²).
- BMD increased rapidly in the first year and gradually until 3 years in VLBW infants (r = 0.931, P < 0.0001).
- No significant differences in BMD were observed among all groups at 1 and 2 years of age.
Conclusions:
- Lumbar spinal bone mineral density (BMD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants shows a catch-up growth pattern.
- BMD in VLBW infants can normalize to levels comparable to normal birth weight infants by two years of age.
Unlabelled:
To examine osteopenia in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants we used repeated dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a prospective study of lumbar spinal bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese VLBW infants (birthweight 426-1498 g; n = 61, group 1) aged 40 weeks postconception to 3 years of age. Control subjects were Japanese infants with birthweight 1500-1999 g (group 2), 2000-2499 g (group 3), or more than 2500 g (group 4). BMD in group 1 during the early period after birth was very low, increased rapidly for 1 year, and then gradually increased until 3 years of age (r = 0.931, P < 0. 0001). BMD at the age of 40 weeks postconception was 0.085 +/- 0.026, 0.132 +/- 0.039, 0.178 +/- 0.042, and 0.196 +/- 0.046 g/cm(2) in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively (P < 0.0001). However, at 1 and 2 years of age no differences were observed among the groups in BMD.
Conclusion:
This study shows that lumbar spinal BMD in VLBW infants can normalize by the age of 2 years.
