Incidence of rickets of prematurity at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.
BACKGROUND
Reports of osteopaenia/rickets of prematurity are on the increase due to improved survival rates of low birthweight infants.


OBJECTIVE
To establish the incidence of rickets of prematurity by the age of six months in premature infants born at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Newborn unit and paediatric outpatient follow up clinic of Kenyatta National Hospital.


METHODS
Successive surviving infants of birthweight less than 2000 g residents in Nairobi.


RESULTS
Incidence of rickets of prematurity by six months of age was 58.8%. Rickets appeared more commonly in male infants compared to female infants.


CONCLUSIONS
Rickets of prematurity is a common problem in the premature infants seen at Kenyatta National Hospital. Routine vitamin D supplements to premature infants in adequate doses of at least 400iu per day should be adopted in our centre.
Oyatsi
D P
DP
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi.
Musoke
R N
RN
Wasunna
A O
AO
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012279:Rickets / Q000453:epidemiology*