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[Cu deficiency as a cause of spontaneous fracture in a premature infant]
B F Pontz1, J Herwig, I Greinacher
1Kinderklinik der Technischen Universität München.
Insights
A preterm infant experienced a femur fracture due to copper deficiency. Oral copper supplementation healed the fracture and improved anemia and neutropenia.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Copper deficiency is a rare but serious condition that can affect infants.
- Preterm infants are at higher risk for nutritional deficiencies due to immature organ systems.
Observation:
- A four-month-old preterm infant presented with a spontaneous femur fracture, generalized osteopenia, and cupped metaphysis alterations.
- Clinical signs included apneic episodes, anemia, and neutropenia, with low serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels.
Findings:
- Alimentary copper deficiency was diagnosed as the cause of the infant's skeletal and hematological abnormalities.
- Oral copper supplementation (CuCl2) led to complete fracture healing and resolution of other clinical and laboratory findings.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering copper deficiency in preterm infants with fractures and hematological issues.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate copper supplementation can prevent severe complications and promote recovery in affected infants.
Abstract:
We report on a male preterm infant of 25th week of gestation, who developed a spontaneous fracture of the right femur at an age of four months. Besides an "impressed" fracture radiologically a generalized osteopenia of the skeleton and cupped metaphysis alterations were observed. An alimentary copper deficiency could be diagnosed. Additionally clinical signs were repeated apneic episodes, anaemia, neutropenia and a low serum level of both coeruloplasmin and copper. We substituted the patient orally with CuCl2 (1.2 mumol/kg/KG/d) over a period of four months resulting in a complete healing of the fracture and an improvement of the other clinical symptoms and laboratory alterations.