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Osteopenia - premature infants - Symptom

Alternative Names

Neonatal rickets; Brittle bones - premature infants; Weak bones - premature infants; Osteopenia of prematurity

Symptoms:

Most premature infants born before 30 weeks have some degree of osteopenia, but will not have any physical symptoms.

Infants with severe osteopenia may have decreased movement or swelling of an arm or leg due to an unknown fracture.

Signs and tests:

Osteopenia is more difficult to diagnose in premature infants than in adults. The most common tests used to diagnose and monitor osteopenia of prematurity include:

  • Blood tests to check levels of calcium, phosphorus, and a protein called alkaline phosphatase
  • Ultrasound
  • X-rays
  • Reviewed last on: 11/2/2009
  • Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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