An Insight of Hypovitaminosis D and Osteopenia of Preterm Infants

Osteopenia of prematurity (OOP) is a decrease in bone density secondary to low bone mineralization. It is a preventable disease. Improved survival of premature newborns is associated with an increased incidence of OOP.In preterm infants, the risk of OOP, also known as neonatal rickets or metabolic bone disease (MBD), is a common and important concern.Risk factors for bone disease in preterm infants include maternal vitamin D deficiency, placental insufficiency, and genetic etiology. Postnatal risk factors include inadequate supply of Ca and P by prolonged total parenteral nutrition (TP vitamin D deficiency, feeding with unsupplemented human milk, and taking medications (diuretics, corticosteroid) and immobility.