[Relationship between bone turnover markers and bone sound of speed in appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates]

Area of Science:

• Neonatal physiology
• Pediatric bone health
• Biochemical markers of bone metabolism

Background:

• Gestational age (GA) is a critical factor influencing neonatal development.
• Bone development and turnover markers are essential indicators of skeletal health in newborns.
• Understanding the relationship between gestational age, bone turnover, and bone density is crucial for assessing neonatal bone health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the correlation between gestational age (GA) and bone turnover markers, specifically carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD), in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates.
• To investigate the relationship between these bone turnover markers and bone speed of sound (SOS) as a measure of bone health.
• To assess how GA, birth weight, and nutritional status (Ponderal Index) relate to bone turnover and bone SOS in AGA neonates.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 65 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates was categorized into preterm (GA ≤34 weeks), late preterm (34
• Measurements included birth weight, length, and Ponderal Index for nutritional assessment.
• Blood PICP levels, urinary DPD/creatinine (Cr) ratios, and tibial bone speed of sound (SOS) were measured within 7 days of birth.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed across GA groups for GA, birth weight, birth length, and Ponderal Index, with higher GA correlating with increased anthropometric measures.
• Gestational age, birth weight, and Ponderal Index showed significant differences across the three groups.
• Higher gestational age and birth weight were associated with lower levels of PICP and DPD/Cr, and higher bone SOS.
• PICP and DPD/Cr were negatively correlated with GA, birth weight, and bone SOS, while bone SOS was positively correlated with GA and birth weight, even after adjustments.

Conclusions:

• In appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates, bone turnover markers (PICP, DPD) are inversely related to gestational age, birth weight, and bone speed of sound (SOS).
• Elevated bone turnover is detrimental to bone health in AGA neonates.
• These findings highlight the importance of gestational age and birth weight in determining neonatal bone status and suggest that high bone turnover may indicate poorer bone health outcomes.