Osteopenia - premature infants

Most premature infants less than 30 weeks gestation have some degree of osteopenia, but will not have any physical indication of this. Infants with severe osteopenia may have evidence of decreased movement or swelling of an arm or leg due to an unknown fracture.

Osteopenia is more difficult to diagnose in premature infants than in adults. The most common tests used to diagnose osteopenia of prematurity include:

• X-rays: Your doctor will look for evidence of thin bones or fractures.
• Blood tests: Your doctor may monitor levels of Ca and P in the blood. Also a specific protein in the blood called ?Alkaline Phosphatase? may be measured ? very high levels suggest that osteopenia is present.

Newer tests are being investigated to monitor osteopenia including ultrasound and special x-ray absorption devices.

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