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Mineral status of premature infants in early life and linear growth at age 3

Tsuyoshi Isojima1, Reiko Kushima2, Keiji Goishi1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|April 14, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBDP) in very low-birthweight (VLBW) infants is linked to reduced height at age 3. Early hypophosphatemia is a key factor impacting growth in these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Preterm infants, especially very low-birthweight (VLBW) infants, face risks of reduced bone mineral content and metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBDP).
  • Long-term height outcomes for VLBW infants with MBDP are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between MBDP and linear growth until age 3 in VLBW infants.
  • To identify specific biochemical markers associated with height prognosis in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of medical records from 143 VLBW infants across two neonatal intensive care units.
  • Exclusion of infants with conditions significantly affecting linear growth.
  • Correlation analysis between MBDP markers and height standard deviation score (SDS) at age 3.

Main Results:

  • Height SDS at age 3 showed a negative correlation with peak serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and a positive correlation with serum phosphorus (P) at peak ALP.
  • Serum phosphorus independently influenced height SDS at 3 years.
  • Significant differences in serum phosphorus levels were observed between infants with and without catch-up growth.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBDP), particularly early hypophosphatemia, is associated with impaired linear growth up to 3 years of age in VLBW infants.
  • Monitoring and management of phosphorus levels may be crucial for optimizing growth in VLBW infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
metabolic bone disease of prematuritymineral supplementationshort staturevery low-birthweight infant

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