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Osteopenia - premature infants

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Neonatal rickets; Rickets - premature infants; Brittle bones - premature infants; Weak bones - premature infants

Treatment:

Therapies that appear to improve bone strength in infants include:

• Calcium and phosphorus supplements, added to breast milk or IV fluids
• Special premature formulas (when breast milk is not available)
• Vitamin D supplementation for babies with liver problems

Expectations (prognosis):

Fractures will usually heal with use of a splint on the broken bone, gentle handling, and increased dietary intakes of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. There may be an increase risk for fractures throughout the first year of life for very premature infants with osteopenia of prematurity.

Studies have suggested that very low-birth weight is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis later in adult life. Whether aggressive efforts to treat or prevent osteopenia of prematurity in the hospital after birth can decrease this risk as an adult is unknown.

• Review Date: 10/23/2006
• Reviewed By: John Goldenring, MD, MPH, JD, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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