osteopenia of prematurity
Last reviewed 01/2018
Osteopenia of the newborn is defined as a reduction in the density of bone as seen radiologically. It results from the increased requirements form phosphate and calcium in low birth weight infants, who at the same time are poor at absorbing these minerals, and poor at retaining them in the kidneys.
In addition to reduced density there may be features of osteomalacia and osteoporosis in severe cases, with cupping and splaying of the epiphyses and fractures.