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Calcium and phosphorus nutrition in preterm infants
Author(s) -
Demarini Sergio
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2005.tb02161.x
Subject(s) - osteopenia , medicine , metabolic bone disease , bone mineral , gestation , rickets , demineralization , bone mass , calcium , vitamin d and neurology , pediatrics , osteoporosis , physiology , endocrinology , pregnancy , dentistry , enamel paint , biology , genetics
Abstract Metabolic bone disease is a common event in preterm infants. Between 24 wk gestation and term, the fetus accrues approximately 80% of body Ca, P and Mg. Consequently, preterm infants miss in part or completely the period of greatest mineral accretion. Ca and P requirements in preterm infants are based on demands for matching intrauterine bone mineral accretion rates and on maintenance of normal serum Ca and P concentrations. Daily physical therapy may be a useful adjunct, as it is associated with a significant increase in bone mineral density and content. Osteopenia/rickets of prematurity seems to be a self‐resolving disease. However, this does not imply that a period of demineralization is acceptable. While the potential long‐term consequences on peak bone mass are unclear at the moment, the short‐term benefits include the avoidance of fractures, less marked dolicocephaly and improved linear growth.