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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #269321

Title: Calcium absorption in very low birth weight infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Author
item HICKS, PENNI - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item ROGERS, STEFANIE - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item HAWTHORNE, KELI - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item CHEN, ZHENSHENG - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item ABRAMS, STEVEN - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Journal of Pediatrics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/22/2010
Publication Date: 6/1/2011
Citation: Hicks, P.D., Rogers, S.P., Hawthorne, K.M., Chen, Z., Abrams, S.A. 2011. Calcium absorption in very low birth weight infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Journal of Pediatrics. 158(6):885-890.

Interpretive Summary: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a lung disease in very premature babies known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (or BPD) on calcium absorption and growth. Calcium absorption was similar between babies with BPD and babies without BPD regardless of fluid restricted feedings in the group with BPD. There was no significant difference in weight or length growth. Premature babies with BPD are able to grow and absorb calcium as well as those without BPD. Fluid restricted feeds that provide similar calcium intakes can help achieve bone and overall growth outcomes close to those achievable in utero.

Technical Abstract: Our objective was to evaluate the effects of early bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on calcium (Ca) metabolism and growth in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. A dual-tracer, stable isotope method was used to assess Ca absorption in VLBW infants. Infants with early BPD received energy-dense feedings and mild fluid restriction. Sixteen of 41 preterm infants were classified as having early BPD. Fractional Ca absorption (early BPD, 58.4 +/- 4.6% versus no early BPD, 50.3 +/- 4.0%, P = .2), total Ca absorption (early BPD, 127 +/- 14 mg/kg/d versus no early BPD, 104 +/- 9 mg/kg/d, P = .9), and Ca retention (early BPD, 99.6 +/- 10.0 mg/kg/d versus no early BPD, 91.0 +/- 9.8 mg/kg/d, P = .2) were similar among groups. There was no significant difference in weight gain, linear growth, or head circumference growth between groups. The ability of VLBW infants with early BPD and fluid restriction to grow and accrete calcium is similar to those without early BPD. The use of high caloric density feedings in VLBW infants with early BPD can help achieve bone and overall growth outcomes close to those achievable in utero.