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Growth factors, inflammatory cytokines and postnatal bone strength in preterm infants

Alon Eliakim1, Dan Nemet, Irfan Ahmad

  • 1Child Health and Sports Center, Pediatric Department, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel. eliakim.alon@clalit.org.il

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|October 23, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology and bone development
  • Pediatric endocrinology and immunology

Background:

  • Preterm infants exhibit unique challenges in postnatal bone development.
  • Growth factors and inflammatory cytokines play critical roles in bone metabolism.
  • Understanding these relationships is crucial for optimizing bone health in vulnerable neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, and bone development in preterm infants.
  • To determine how serum levels of IGF-I, GHBP, IL-6, and IL-1RA correlate with bone strength progression.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty preterm infants (24-32 weeks GA) were monitored weekly for bone strength using quantitative ultrasound (bone speed of sound - SOS).
  • Serum samples were analyzed for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), GH binding protein (GHBP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA).
  • Infants were categorized into bone gainers and bone losers based on changes in bone SOS.

Main Results:

  • Despite overall growth, bone SOS significantly decreased in the cohort.
  • Growth factors increased and inflammatory cytokines decreased during follow-up.
  • Infants with lower baseline bone SOS and lower IL-6 levels showed improved bone strength (bone gainers).

Conclusions:

  • Preterm infants with initially lower bone SOS demonstrate a 'catch-up' growth pattern in bone strength.
  • Reduced inflammation, indicated by lower IL-6 levels, is associated with improved bone strength gain in preterm infants.
  • These findings highlight the interplay between inflammatory status and skeletal development in neonates.
Abstract

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