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[Osteopenia in premature children: an emerging problem]
Insights
Preterm infant osteopenia, a bone undermineralization issue, stems from insufficient mineral intake, particularly phosphorus. Diagnosis involves imaging or biochemical tests, but prevention and treatment remain debated.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Mineral Metabolism
Context:
- Osteopenia of preterm newborns is a significant concern in neonatal intensive care.
- It affects very low birth-weight infants during early life.
- The condition involves bone undermineralization, often linked to inadequate mineral intake.
Purpose:
- To review recent studies on osteopenia of prematurity.
- To highlight the multifactorial pathogenesis, emphasizing phosphorus deficiency.
- To discuss diagnostic methods and the lack of consensus on prevention and treatment.
Summary:
- Osteopenia in preterm infants is characterized by poor bone mineralization, primarily due to insufficient phosphorus intake.
- Clinical signs range from overt rickets to asymptomatic cases.
- Diagnosis relies on imaging (photon absorptiometry) or biochemical markers like hypophosphatemia.
Impact:
- Informs clinical practice regarding the diagnosis and management of preterm infant osteopenia.
- Identifies gaps in knowledge concerning prevention and treatment strategies.
- Highlights the need for further research into optimal mineral supplementation for vulnerable infants.
Abstract:
Osteopenia of preterm newborns is a condition of undermineralization which arises during the first years of life in very low birth-weight infants. The pathogenesis of disease is multifactorial, even if its main mechanism is the inadequate mineral intake (overall the inadequate phosphorus intake). A wide spectrum of signs and symptoms may be observed ranging from overt rickets to asymptomatic conditions. Diagnosis is usually based on either photon or biochemical findings (hypophosphoremia, hyper calciuria, hypophosphaturia). There is not agreement about the prevention and the treatment and about the benefit of any form of mineral supplementation. The aim of our study is a review of the recent studies concerning the osteopenia of prematurity to focus this new problem.