Metabolic bone disease and bone mineral density in very preterm infants.

Objectives: To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in preterm neonates at discharge and identify the optimum cutoff values for serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and phosphorus (P) concentrations to diagnose the severity of metabolic bone disease of prematurity.

Study Design: A total of 336 preterm neonates (≤ 31 weeks' gestation and birth weight ≤ 1500 g) were prospectively evaluated for BMD before discharge using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results: BMD reference values (at ALP ≤ 500 IU/L) were measured in 279 patients.