Effect of prolonged use of caffeine citrate on bone density of preterm neonates.

Abstract

O steopenia of prematurity is a disease which affects preterm infants due to early extra uterine life & many risk factors to which preterm infants are exposed in the incubatorsuch as, delayed enteral feeding, prolonged immobilization, prolonged periods of total parenteral nutrition with insufficient mineral intake compared to the transplacental mineral supply from the mother during intrauterine life. Prevention of such disease is very important to avoid bone fracture & childhood bone complications. Prevention could be achieved by avoidance of risk factors & proper mineral supply with proper calories. The present study was designed to evaluate effect of prolonged use ofcaffeine therapyon bone mineral densityinpreterm neonates. 42 preterm infants, were enrolled in our study. They were randomized into 2 groups;20 preterm infants asa non-caffeine groupdid notreceivecaffeine and22 preterm infantsasa caffeine-groupreceived caffeine therapy. Both groups received the same dose of parenteral calcium by intermittent injection. All neonates included in this study were subjected to: Full history taking and complete clinical assessment together with serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, sodium, potassium, creatinine, x-ray, abdominalultrasound& DEXA scan.