Daily clinical markers in metabolic bone disease of prematurity

Hiroko Tomotaki1, Seiichi Tomotaki2, Ai Yoshimura1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Pediatric Research
|April 29, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Monitoring preterm infants

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Bone Disease

Background:

  • Timely monitoring of bone metabolism in infants is crucial for preventing metabolic bone disease of prematurity.
  • Management of hyperparathyroidism in infants requires tailored supplementation based on clinical guidelines.
  • This study investigated daily clinical markers in infants with hyperparathyroidism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the characteristics of daily clinical markers in infants with hyperparathyroidism.
  • To establish thresholds for assessing bone metabolism in preterm infants.
  • To aid in the timely and tailored management of infant hyperparathyroidism.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective, single-center study at Kyoto University Hospital.
  • Included infants born at ≤37 weeks gestation with birth weight <2500g.
  • Analyzed serum calcium, phosphorus, urinary calcium/creatinine ratio (Ur Ca/Cre), and % tubular reabsorption of phosphorus (%TRP) in relation to elevated intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH >100 pg/mL).

Main Results:

  • 194 infants (366 data points) were analyzed.
  • Infants with elevated iPTH often had serum calcium <9.8 mg/dL and/or serum phosphorus <6.5 mg/dL.
  • Elevated iPTH was also associated with Ur Ca/Cre <0.67 and/or %TRP <94%.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated iPTH in preterm infants can occur even when other clinical indicators are within normal pediatric or adult ranges.
  • Established cutoff values (Ca: 9.8 mg/dL, P: 6.5 mg/dL, Ur Ca/Cre: 0.67, %TRP: 94%) are useful for assessing infant bone metabolism.
  • These findings support timely, individualized management of hyperparathyroidism in preterm infants.
Abstract

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