Bone mineral content measured by DEXA scan in preterm neonates receiving total parentral nutrition with and without

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

H A Awad1, T M Farid, S M Khafagy

  • 1Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences : PJBS
|January 29, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Adding intravenous phosphorus to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) significantly improves bone mineral content (BMC) in preterm infants. Phosphorus supplementation is crucial for neonatal bone health during TPN therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Metabolic Bone Disease

Background:

  • Intravenous phosphorus preparations were recently introduced in Egypt.
  • Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is essential for preterm infants unable to receive enteral feeding.
  • The impact of phosphorus supplementation in TPN on neonatal bone metabolism requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of intravenous phosphorus supplementation in TPN on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in preterm neonates.
  • To assess bone mineral content (BMC) using DEXA scans in preterm infants receiving TPN with or without phosphorus.
  • To determine the relationship between phosphorus supplementation, serum markers, and BMC.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 30 preterm infants in a tertiary care NICU.
  • Infants were divided into two groups: TPN with phosphorus (n=15) and TPN without phosphorus (n=15).
  • Measurements included serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, urinary calcium/creatinine ratio, abdominal ultrasound, and DEXA scan for BMC.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in serum calcium or phosphorus levels between groups.
  • Significantly higher serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio in the group without phosphorus supplementation (p=0.001).
  • Significantly higher BMC in the phosphorus-supplemented group, even with TPN duration less than 15 days (p=0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Intravenous phosphorus supplementation in TPN positively impacts BMC in preterm neonates.
  • TPN without phosphorus supplementation is associated with adverse effects on bone metabolism, indicated by elevated ALP and urinary Ca/Cr.
  • Even short durations of TPN without phosphorus can negatively affect BMC in preterm infants.

More Related Videos

Neonatal Mouse Bone Marrow Isolation and Preparation of Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages06:53

Neonatal Mouse Bone Marrow Isolation and Preparation of Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages

Published on: May 24, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Essential Minerals for Bone Health01:31

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Introduction to Electrolytes01:33

Introduction to Electrolytes

In humans, electrolytes play a vital role in various physiological processes. Balancing electrolyte levels is essential for normal body functions; their imbalance can be life-threatening. The major electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphate, and bicarbonate. They are primarily involved in physiological processes, such as nerve signal transmission, membrane trafficking, muscle contraction, buffering body fluids, and balancing water levels in the body.
Role of Sodium
One...
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...