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Necrotizing enterocolitis increases the bone resorption in premature infants.
Murat Cakir1, Ilke Mungan, Caner Karahan
1Department of Paediatrics, Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey. aysenurokten@meds.ktu.edu.tr
Early Human Development
|December 14, 2005
Summary
Necrotizing enterocolitis significantly increases bone resorption in premature infants, potentially linked to reduced glucagon-like peptide-2. This finding highlights a critical concern for infant bone health following this gastrointestinal disease.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) affects 10% of premature infants (<1500g), with 20-40% mortality.
- Survivors face long-term issues like malabsorption and failure to thrive.
- The link between NEC and osteopenia of prematurity remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bone turnover markers in premature infants with a history of necrotizing enterocolitis.
- To compare bone turnover states between infants with NEC, sepsis, and a control group.
Main Methods:
- Study included 41 premature infants divided into three groups: NEC (n=14), sepsis (n=12), and control (n=15).
- Bone turnover markers (serum osteocalcin, beta-CrossLaps, urinary deoxypyridinoline) were measured between days 20-25.
- Serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D were also assessed.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in bone osteoblastic activity (serum osteocalcin) were observed across groups.
- Bone resorption markers (serum beta-CrossLaps and urinary deoxypyridinoline) were significantly elevated in the NEC group compared to sepsis and control groups (p < 0.016).
Conclusions:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis is associated with increased bone resorption in premature infants.
- This heightened resorption may be related to reduced levels of glucagon-like peptide-2.
- Further research into the role of intestinal hormones in NEC-related bone complications is warranted.