Evaluation of radiologic evidence of metabolic bone disease in very low birth weight infants at fourth week of life

Aim The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of metabolic bone disease (MBD) and assess the risk factors for development radiologic evidence of MBD. Methods Preterm infants with gestational age ≤32 weeks and birth weight ≤1500 g were included in this prospective study. Metabolic bone disease was defined as hypophosphatemia (phosphorus levels <4 mg/dl), ALP levels >450 U/L, or radiologic findings of MBD at four weeks of age. Results The study included 254 infants (gestational age: 29 (27–30) weeks, birth weight: 1130 g (960–1300)). Metabolic bone disease was diagnosed in 96 patients (37%); 48 infants had only radiologic evidence of MBD, 24 infants had only biochemical diagnosis of MBD, and 24 infants had both radiologic evidence of MBD and biochemical diagnosis of MBD. Conclusions Our results showed that radiologic evidence of MBD existed in some infants with normal biochemical results. That finding may guide further development of screening programs for MBD.