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Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry studies of bone mineral status in newborn infants
Insights
Body weight is the primary predictor of bone mineral status in newborns, explaining most variations in bone mineral content and density. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is effective for assessing bone health in infants, including preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Bone Health
- Neonatal Physiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Assessing bone mineral status in newborns is crucial for identifying potential growth and health issues.
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a non-invasive method for evaluating bone mineral content, area, and density.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bone mineral status in a cohort of 150 newborn infants using DXA.
- To determine the predictive value of anthropometric measurements, race, and gender on bone mineral status variability.
- To establish reference values for bone mineral status in term infants.
Main Methods:
- Whole-body DXA scans were performed on 150 singleton newborns (gestational age 27-42 weeks).
- Data analysis included correlations between gestational age, birth weight, anthropometrics, and bone mineral parameters (TB BMC, TB area, TB BMD).
- Predictive values of postnatal age, race, gender, and season were assessed.
Main Results:
- Birth weight was a highly significant predictor, explaining 95% of TB BMC and TB area variation, and 86% of TB BMD variation.
- Body length was a significant predictor for TB area.
- Postnatal age, race, gender, and season did not significantly improve the explanation of bone mineral status.
Conclusions:
- DXA is a feasible method for assessing bone mineralization in newborns, including preterm infants.
- Body weight is the strongest determinant of bone mineral status in neonates.
- Established reference values can aid in future studies of infant bone health.
Abstract:
We studied bone mineral status using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on 150 singleton newborn infants with birth weights 1002-3990 g and gestational ages (GA) 27-42 weeks. Eighty-five infants were preterm (< 38 weeks), and 79 infants were low birth weight (< or = 2500 g). In addition, we aimed to determined the predictive value of anthropometric measurements, race, and gender on variability in bone mineral status. Data were acquired using a whole body DXA scanner with a pediatric platform. Scan analyses were performed with software version V5.64P. Results showed a highly significant (p < 0.001 for all comparisons) correlation among the continuous independent variables, gestational age, birth weight, study weight, study bare weight, and study length, and between independent and each of the dependent variables, total body bone mineral content (TB BMC), TB area, and TB bone mineral density (TB BMD). The best single determinant of bone mineral status is body weight, accounting for 95% of TB BMC and TB area and for 86% of TB BMD variation. Body length was the only additional significant predictor of TB area. Inclusion of postnatal age (during the first week after birth), race, gender, or season, either individually or in combination, failed to improve bone mineral status explanation. By term (GA 38-42 weeks, birth weight 2700-3990 g), the mean TB BMC was 68.2 g, TB area 307.6 cm2, and TB BMD 0.221 g/cm2. We conclude that DXA can be performed even in small preterm infants during the newborn period. Our results can be used as a basis for further studies in physiologic and pathologic situations that might affect bone mineralization in infants.