Hypophosphatemia in breast-fed low-birth-weight infants following initial hospital discharge

Article Abstract:

Newborns with low birth weights who receive only human milk are at risk for poor deposition of calcium in their bones, as indicated by decreased blood levels of phosphate, or hypophosphatemia, and the possibility of rickets. Studies have shown that the administration of supplements including calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D can prevent decreased bone mineralization in these infants. Previous studies have typically focused on the period that low-birth-weight infants are hospitalized, and have not studied the children beyond this period. Infants below 2,000 grams at birth were admitted into this study if there were no major congenital malformations, or other significant clinical problems. Twelve infants who received human milk plus a multivitamin supplement, and 20 infants who had diet of cow's milk were included. The children were examined at 4, 16, and 52 weeks of age; there were no differences found in body weight, length, or the diameter of the infants' heads. However, six of the human milk-fed infants developed hypophosphatemia and were consequently at risk for abnormal bone formation. Measurements of calcium were normal, but the level of vitamin D was significantly low in these six infants. These data strongly suggest that low-birth-weight infants who receive only human milk may require vitamin D supplementation following hospitalization. Blood levels of calcium, phosphorus and an important enzyme necessary for bone formation (alkaline phosphatase) may be normal and may not reveal the risk for poor deposition of calcium in bones, and the critical need for vitamin D supplementation in these low-birth-weight infants. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Complications and side effects, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight, Vitamin D in human nutrition, Nutritional aspects, Vitamin D, Calcium in the body, Breast milk, Rickets

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Dietary calcium and bone mineral status of children and adolescents

Article Abstract:

Calcium is an extremely important mineral nutrient for many reasons. It is the most abundant mineral in the body and it is needed for proper function of nerves and muscles. Calcium is important in childhood because it is essential for skeletal growth and development. However, the relationship between calcium nutrition and bone status in children has not been well studied. To better understand the relationship between dietary calcium and skeletal growth, 164 children (76 female) aged 2 to 26 years were studied. The mineral content of bone correlated significantly with age, weight, and height. Seventy percent of children under age 11 had enough calcium in their diet. However, only 15 percent of girls and 53 percent of boys over age 11 consumed the recommended dietary allowance of calcium. However, the average dietary calcium intake for boys and girls was not significantly different. Dietary calcium intake was significantly related to bone mineral content. Blood levels of calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and vitamin D were close to normal in all subjects and did not correlate with bone mineral status. The study shows that dietary intake of calcium tends to be inadequate in older children, which may affect their bone mineral status. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Bones, Growth, Calcium, Dietary, Skeletal maturity, Bone densitometry, Bone development

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Hypophosphatemia in the nutritional recovery syndrome

Article Abstract:

Hypophosphatemia, a decrease in the amount of phosphorus in the blood, can occur when malnourished children are given nutritional rehabilitation. Phosphorus is an element needed to metabolize protein, calcium and sugar. A decrease in phosphorus can cause symptoms affecting the blood, muscles and nervous system. The condition, although potentially life-threatening, can be successfully treated with intravenous phosphorus supplements. To see if there are any risk factors for the development of hypophosphatemia, the charts of 150 patients, seen for all nutritional assessments, were reviewed. Malnutrition was diagnosed in 45 children. Phosphorus was measured in only nine patients during nutritional rehabilitation, five of whom were diagnosed with hypophosphatemia. The remaining 36 patients did not have phosphorus levels measured. All of the children with hypophosphatemia had arm bone circumference measurements below those in the fifth percentile of a normal growth chart. Children with smaller arm bone measurements are at risk for developing hypophosphatemia after treatment for malnutrition. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Abnormalities, Physiological aspects, Metabolism, Malnutrition in children, Child malnutrition, Phosphorus, Phosphorus (Chemical element), Nutrition disorders in children, Phosphorus metabolism

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