Determinants of bone mineral density in prematurely born children aged 6-7 years
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effects of prematurity and growth during the first year on bone mineralization in prematurely born children. The study group consisted of 38 prematurely born Finnish children (17M, 21F) examined at the age of 6-7 y. After birth, all children were fed with banked human milk until discharge from hospital. Thereafter, 27 children were partially breastfed until the age of 5-7 months. Infants with gestational age (GA) 33 weeks received only vitamin D 400 IU/d. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) at 6-7 y of age. At examination, all children had normal height and weight. BMD values were within the confidence interval of the Finnish reference values. In regression analysis bone area, present weight, GA and weight at 1 y were the most significant factors explaining 77.1% of the variance of BMC. After adjusting for other independent variables the prematurely born children who were thinner at 1 y of age subsequently had higher BMC values when examined at the age of 6-7 y. This study shows that growth patterns during the first year of life have long-term effects on bone mineralization.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 27 participants or records.
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