Correlation of bone mineralization in the radius and humerus of well premature neonates over the first 4 months of life.
To determine how well mineralization correlates in the radius and humerus of neonates, we have measured with photon absorptiometry the bone mineral content (BMC) and bone width (BW) in the humerus and radius of well premature neonates and in the radius alone of well term neonates at birth, 8 and 16 weeks of age. These data allow (1) the correlation of bone mineralization in the humerus and radius at birth and over the first 4 months of life and (2) the correlation between bone mineralization in the radius or humerus at birth and that measured at 8 and 16 weeks in the same bone site. The BMC of the radius was significantly (P less than 0.02) correlated with the BMC of the humerus at birth, 8 and 16 weeks, but the BW of the radius was significantly correlated with the BW of the humerus only at 16 weeks. On the other hand, the BMC of the radius at birth in both term and premature neonates failed to correlate significantly (P = ns) with the BMC of the radius at 8 or 16 weeks. In the humerus, the BMC at birth was significantly (P less than 0.001) correlated with that measured at 8 but not at 16 weeks. These data indicate that the humerus and radius increase in mineral content at a similar rate over the first 4 months of life but that one cannot accurately predict from the BMC at birth what the bone mineral content will be at 8 and 16 weeks of age.
Pittard
W B
WB
Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
Geddes
K M
KM
Hollis
B W
BW
D000375:Aging; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000032:analysis*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods; D011884:Radius / Q000032:analysis*
D008903:Minerals