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Bone ultrasound velocity in small- versus appropriate-for-gestational age preterm infants
M Chen1, T Ashmeade, J D Carver
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics,University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33606, USA.
Insights
Small-for-gestational age (SGA) preterm infants show higher bone strength than appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants, indicated by increased tibial speed of sound (SOS). This suggests better bone status in SGA newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Pediatric bone health
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Premature infants are at risk for various health complications.
- Assessing bone status in newborns is crucial for long-term health.
- Small-for-gestational age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) classifications help categorize newborns based on birth weight relative to gestational age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the bone status of preterm infants born small-for-gestational age (SGA) versus appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA).
- To investigate potential differences in bone strength between SGA and AGA preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Tibial speed of sound (SOS) was measured in 144 preterm infants.
- Infants were categorized as SGA or AGA using established reference tables (Lubchenco et al. and Alexander et al.).
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare SOS values between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Infant gestational ages were similar between SGA and AGA groups (approximately 33 weeks).
- SGA infants had significantly lower birth weights compared to AGA infants (P<0.001).
- Higher tibial SOS values were observed in SGA infants compared to AGA infants (P<0.001), regardless of the reference table used.
Conclusions:
- Higher tibial SOS in SGA preterm infants suggests greater bone strength.
- These findings indicate a potentially better bone status in SGA preterm infants compared to their AGA counterparts.
Objective:
To compare bone status of small-for-gestational age (SGA) versus appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) newborn preterm infants.
Study Design:
Tibial speed of sound (SOS) was measured in 144 infants categorized as SGA or AGA using the reference tables of Lubchenco et al. and Alexander et al.
Results:
By the Lubchenco tables, 22% of infants were SGA and 75% were AGA. The mean gestational ages of SGA and AGA were similar (33.3+/-2.6 and 32.5+/-2.4 weeks, respectively, P = 0.09); however, SGA infant birth weights were lower (1329+/-392 and 1829+/-481 g, respectively, P<0.001). SOS values were higher for SGA versus AGA infants (3098+/-135 and 3003+/-122 m/s, respectively. P<0.001). Use of the Alexander tables yielded a twofold increase in the percent of infants categorized as SGA; SOS values remained significantly greater for SGA infants (P<0.001).
Conclusion:
Higher tibial SOS values in SGA versus AGA infants indicate greater bone strength.
