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[Bone turnover and early parenteral calcium supply in preterm infants]

Ya-ping Xu1, Hui-min Yu

  • 1The Affiliated Children's Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310003, China.

Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical Sciences
|November 12, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants show active bone turnover compared to term infants. Early calcium supplementation increases calcium levels but does not affect bone formation or resorption markers.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology

Context:

  • Preterm infants exhibit distinct biochemical profiles of bone turnover compared to term infants.
  • Bone metabolism is crucial for growth and development in neonates.

Purpose:

  • To investigate dynamic changes in bone turnover markers in preterm infants.
  • To evaluate the impact of early parenteral calcium supply on these markers.

Summary:

  • Serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and carboxyterminal telopeptide type I collagen (ICTP) were elevated in preterm infants at 24 hours, correlating negatively with gestational age and birth weight.
  • Serum osteocalcin (OC) was lower in preterm infants initially but normalized by day 11.
  • Parenteral calcium supply increased serum and urine calcium but did not alter OC or ICTP levels, with normal renal function observed.

Impact:

  • Early life calcium supplementation in preterm infants primarily affects calcium levels, not bone formation or resorption markers.
  • Understanding bone turnover dynamics is essential for optimizing neonatal care and long-term skeletal health.
Abstract

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