RESUMEN
Introduction: Osteopenia is a recognized complication in VLBW infants. In adequate postnatal intake of calcium and phosphorus is probably important in the pathogenesis of bone disease in VLBW infants. This study is carried out to determine the effect of calcium and phosphorus supplementation on prevention of Osteopenia in preterm infants
Material and Methods: In NICU at Ghaem Hospital for a period of one year 43 preterm infants with birth weight less than 2000gr, were followed from birth to six week after birth. Twenty babies [control group] received breast milk and 23 babies [case group] received breast milk and supplemented with calcium and phosphorus. All received a daily supplement of 400U vitamin D. serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase obtained every two weeks until six-weeks postnatal age, at the end of this time wrist x-ray for evaluating of Osteopenia were done
Results: With biochemical criteria 15 patients developed osteopenia, which 7[30.4%] were in the case group and eight [40%] were in the control group. With radiographic criteria 23 patients developed osteopenia which 11[48%] were in the case group and 12[60%] were in the control group, these difference are not significant [P=0.35 and P=0.2]. Linear growth during this period was 5.36cm in the case group versus 4.45cm in the control group, and weight gain was 19.76gr/day in the case group versus 16.61g/day in the control group
Conclusion: Calcium and phosphorus supplementation in VLBW infants that fed breast milk was effective on prevention of osteopenia. In addition this supplementation induced better linear growth and weight gain