Incidence of metabolic bone disease in neonates under 32 gestational weeks at the Hospital Universitario de Santander in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic bone disease of premature infants is a rare complication characterized by a lower mineral content in bone tissue.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the incidence of metabolic bone disease in premature infants and to determine associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

We conducted a descriptive prospective cohort study for one year in all newborns under 32 gestational weeks, or 1,500 g, at the Hospital Universitario de Santander to determine the incidence of metabolic bone disease. We collected demographic data and prenatal histories of the selected patients, and later, we measured serum alkaline phosphatase and serum phosphorus at the third week of birth, having as reference values for diagnosis less than 5.6 mg/dl for the first one and more than 500 UI/L for the second one. We applied statistical tools for data analysis, such as average proportions, dispersion, distribution and association measures, and binomial regression.

RESULTS

From a total of 58 patients, 7 had a diagnosis of metabolic bone disease, with an incidence of 12%. The weight was reported as an independent variable for the development of the disease, being significant in children under 1,160 g, as well as prolonged parenteral nutrition for more than 24 days. When performing the multivariate analysis, low weight and short time of parenteral nutrition appeared as risk factors; in the same way, maternal age below 22 years is associated with a higher relative risk, even more than a newborn weight inferior to 1,160 g.

CONCLUSION

Establishing an early intervention in patients with metabolic bone disease enhancing risk factors, such as low weight and prolonged parenteral nutrition, is critical to prevent severe complications.