title: Calcium and phosphorus retention in the preterm infant during total parenteral nutrition. A comparative randomised study between organic and inorganic phosphate as a source of phosphorus.
abstract: The preterm infant fed parenterally is prone to some demineralisation due in part to insufficient Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) retention. In an attempt to augment Ca and P retention, we prepared a standardised parenteral solution containing calcium gluconate and glucose-1-phosphate (Phocytan) as source of phosphorus, yielding a daily supply of 75 mg/kg Ca and 45 mg/kg P. 28 very low birthweight infants were randomly assigned to receive either this solution (high Ca P ; n = 15) or a conventional formulation containing calcium gluconate and potassium mono- and dibasic phosphate delivering 42 mg/kg Ca and 36 mg/kg P daily (low Ca P ; n = 13). In the high Ca P daily retention was respectively 80% and 99% for Ca and P whereas in the low Ca P group, retention was 70% and 82%. Serum parathormone levels were significantly lower in the high Ca P group. We conclude that parenteral nutrition with a new high Ca P supplement results in an augmented Ca and P retention in very low birthweight infants. This may help to prevent neonatal bone demineralization.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Paediatrics and Pharmacy, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Devlieger
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Zegher
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Lierde
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Proesmans
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eggermont