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Neonatal Serum Phosphorus Levels and Enamel Defects in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Roula Merheb1, Chitra Arumugam2, Wonik Lee3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, MetroHealth Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA rmerheb@metrohealth.org.

JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|March 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with lower serum phosphorus levels are more likely to develop enamel hypoplasia. This finding highlights the importance of monitoring phosphorus in VLBW infants for dental health.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants face increased risks of enamel defects due to missing critical in-utero mineral accretion.
  • Limited research exists on the link between neonatal nutrition and dental outcomes in preterm, VLBW infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between neonatal nutrition biomarkers, feeding intake, comorbidities, and enamel defects in VLBW infants.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 76 VLBW infants (2007-2010).
  • Infants classified as cases (enamel defects) or controls (no enamel defects) at 8, 18-20, and 36 months.
  • Demographic, medical, and nutritional data were collected.

Main Results:

  • 62% of VLBW infants exhibited enamel defects (hypoplasia/opacity).
  • Lower serum phosphorus levels were significantly associated with enamel hypoplasia.
  • A 1-mg/dL increase in serum phosphorus reduced odds of enamel hypoplasia by 68% (OR, 0.322; P = .024).

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal hypophosphatemia is a significant risk factor for enamel hypoplasia in VLBW infants under three years old.
  • Monitoring serum phosphorus levels is crucial for preventing dental anomalies in this vulnerable population.
Abstract

Keywords:
calciumcalcium homeostasisenamel defectsnutritionphosphatevery low birth weight

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