Am J Perinatol 2011; 28(2): 157-163
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1263299
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Preterm Birth and Adolescent Bone Mineral Content

Marta C. Erlandson1 , Lauren B. Sherar1 , Adam D.G. Baxter-Jones1 , Stefan A. Jackowski1 , Heidi Ludwig-Auser2 , Chris Arnold3 , Koravangattu Sankaran2
  • 1College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • 2Food and Nutrition Services, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • 3Planning, Policy and Performance, Saskatoon Health Region, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
06 August 2010 (online)

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of preterm low birth weight on bone mineral content in adolescence. In 2007 to 2008, data on adolescents were obtained for study, including 16 females and 25 males who were born preterm (≤37 weeks' gestation) between October 1, 1989, and December 31, 1995, with a birth weight of less than 1850 g. Preterm low-birth-weight individuals were age- and sex-matched to full-term (>37 weeks) normal-birth-weight (>2500 g) controls. Total body, hip, and spine bone mineral content (BMC) was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Male preterm individuals had less BMC at the proximal femur in adolescence compared with controls (p < 0.05). However, once adjusted for age, maturity, height, weight, physical activity, and diet, there were no differences between groups (p < 0.05) in any bone parameters. These findings suggest that preterm birth and low birth weight did not influence bone accrual in these individuals at adolescence.

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Marta C ErlandsonM.Sc. 

College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan

87 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B2 Canada

Email: marta.erlandson@usask.ca