J Korean Soc Pediatr Endocrinol.  2010 Apr;15(1):26-32.

Biochemical Markers as Predicting Factor for Metabolic Bone Diseases in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

• Kim MJ
• Kim MJ
• Byun SY
• Lee HJ
• Yoo JH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of present study was to assess the utility of serum biochemical markers for predicting the metabolic bone disease (MBD) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI).
METHODS
Medical records of 104 VLBWI from 2003 to 2008 were reviewed in this retrospective study. Study patients were divided in MBD and control group according to the finding of wrist radiography performed at 4 weeks of life. We compared the serum biochemical markers including alkaline phosphate (ALP), calcium (Ca), phosphate (P) between two groups at birth, 1 and 4 weeks of life. The value of serum vitamin D (Vit. D) was measured at 4-5 weeks of life.
RESULTS
The mean gestational age and birth weight of study patients were 30(+6) +/- 2.0 weeks and 1,308.2 +/- 136.7 g. The incidence of MBD was 28.9% (31 / 104). At birth, higher values of serum ALP (438.1 +/- 129.1 mg/dL vs 360.5 +/- 122.8 mg/dL) were found in MBD group. At 1 week of life, higher values of serum Ca (11.0 +/- 1.7 mg/dL vs 10.3 +/- 1.7 mg/dL) and lower values of serum P (3.2 +/- 1.2 mg/dL vs 4.1 +/- 1.3 mg/dL) were found in MBD group. At 4 weeks of life, higher values of serum ALP activities (1,397.6 +/- 635.6 U/L vs 789.0 +/- 573.0 U/L), lower values of serum P (4.2 +/- 2.0 mg/dL vs 5.4 +/- 1.8 mg/dL) and Vit. D (17.7 +/- 7.2 ng/mL vs 30.0 +/- 15.5 ng/mL) were found in MBD group. Risk factors of MBD were male and Vit. D deficiency with high ALP at 4 weeks of life.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that high ALP concentrations at 4 weeks of life may predict MBD with Vit. D deficiency in VLBWI.

Keyword

Bone diseases; Metabolic; Infant; Very low birth weight

MeSH Terms

Biomarkers
Birth Weight
Bone Diseases
Bone Diseases, Metabolic
Calcium
Gestational Age
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Male
Medical Records
Parturition
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Vitamin D
Wrist
Calcium
Vitamin D