Screening of Serum Alkaline Phosphatase and Phosphate Helps Early Detection of Metabolic Bone Disease in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

摘要

Background: Extremely low birth weight (ELBW, 500 IU/L, P ≥4.5 mg/dL), and severe (ALP 500 IU/L, P 4 weeks after birth) according to the time of onset. Results: A total of 142 ELBW infants were included, with a median gestational age of 28.1 (26.5–29.7) weeks and a median birth weight of 875 (818–950) g. Seventy-three cases of MBD were diagnosed, and the total prevalence was 51.4% (mild MBD, 10.6%; and severe MBD, 40.8%). Male sex, breastfeeding, and sepsis would increase the risk of severe MBD. Most MBD in ELBW infants occurred at 3–4 weeks after birth. Sixty-two percent (45/73) of infants were diagnosed as having early MBD, which are diagnosed earlier than late MBD [24 (21–26) vs. 39 (36–41), t = ?7.161; P 0.001]. Male sex [odds ratio (OR), 2.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–7.64; P = 0.036], initial high ALP levels (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01–1.03; P 0.001), and breastfeeding (OR, 5.97; 95% CI, 1.01–25.12; P = 0.049) are independent risk factors for the development of early MBD. Conclusion: The risk of MBD among ELBW infants is very high. Most cases occurred early and were severe. Male sex, initial high ALP levels, and breastfeeding are closely related to the increased risk of early MBD. Serial screening of serum ALP and P helps early detection of MBD; it is recommended to start biochemical screening for ELBW infants 2 weeks after birth and monitor their biochemical markers weekly.