Prematurity as a predictor of rickets in Shanghai infants

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Rickets, a condition characterized by soft and weak bones, affects infants globally.
• Prematurity and low birth weight are suspected risk factors for rickets, but require further investigation.
• Socioeconomic factors may also play a role in rickets prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between prematurity, birth weight, socioeconomic status, and the prevalence of rickets in infants.
• To determine the independent risk factors for rickets in a large cohort of Chinese infants.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,227 infants in Shanghai, China.
• Data collected included birth status (preterm vs. term), birth weight, sex, family income, and rickets diagnosis.
• Statistical analysis, including odds ratios, was used to identify risk factors.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of rickets was 5.8% in the first 18 months of life.
• Preterm infants (9.4%) had a higher prevalence of rickets compared to term infants (5.2%).
• Lower birth weight was strongly inversely associated with rickets prevalence, with the lowest weight group (<2,500g) showing 15.8% prevalence.
• After adjusting for covariates, preterm birth (OR=1.55) and lower birth weight remained significant risk factors.
• Infants from lower-income families had a higher likelihood of developing rickets.

Conclusions:

• Prematurity and low birth weight are significant independent risk factors for rickets in infants.
• Lower socioeconomic status, indicated by family income, is also associated with an increased prevalence of rickets.
• These findings underscore the importance of nutritional and developmental support for high-risk infant populations to prevent rickets.