Search

To evaluate the impact of preterm birth on bone health in preschool children. A total of 166 preschool children (aged 7–8 years) born preterm (n = 86, <37-week gestation) and at term (n = 80, ≥37 weeks of gestation) in our hospital were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. Data on antenatal, perinatal, and early postnatal characteristics and maternal obstetric history were obtained from medical records. Bone densitometry data including total bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD; total, lumbar, and femoral), z-scores, and bone loss were collected for each participant. Current height, weight, and BMI values were significantly lower in the preterm group (p <.001). Serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels did not differ among groups, whereas VitD3 levels were significantly higher in the preterm group (p =.039). The mean total BMC, total BMD, lumbar (L2–L4) BMD, femur BMD, total z-score, and L2–L4 z-score values were significantly lower for the preterm group, whereas the total, lumbar, and femoral bone loss were significantly higher (p <.001), regardless of the severity of prematurity. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and retinopathy were significantly associated with lower total BMC (p =.004, p =.012, respectively). Fortified breastfeeding was associated with lumbar bone loss (p =.043), and formula feeding was associated with both femur and lumbar bone loss (p =.006, p =.012, respectively). Our findings revealed long-term adverse effects of preterm birth on bone health, with significantly lower anthropometric values (weight, height, and BMI), lower scores for total BMC, BMD (total, lumbar, femoral), and z-scores (total, femur), along with higher bone loss (total, lumbar, femoral) and higher rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis in preschool children born preterm (whether moderate or very preterm) compared with those born at term. Exclusive breastfeeding appears to reduce the likelihood of long-term bone loss in preterm infants [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis / Turk Osteoporoz Dergisi is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis / Turk Osteoporoz Dergisi is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)