| Abstrakt: |
Background: Rickets of prematurity is a familiar status that leads to pathological fractures. Deficiency of minerals leading to disturbed formation of bone is the most popular factor giving rise to disease and preterm infants are at increased risk of developing this condition. Objectives; To identify the incidence of rickets in preterm babies, and studying the risk factor associated with this disease like age, gender, residence, type of feeding, and changes in some biochemical tests. Patients and Methods: Across sectional study done in an outpatient clinic in maternity and childhood teaching hospital, cases included in this study were children below two years old and were delivered before 37 weeks of gestation. The diagnosis of rickets was done radiologically. All studied babies, data were collected by history about (gender, age, type of feeding, and residence). Cases which diagnosed radiologically as rickets, a serological test was done for (serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and vitamin D). Results: (29.3%) of preterm babies were diagnosed as rickets of prematurity. The most common age reported with rickets was from 3months to less than13 months. Un-supplemented breast milk feeding was reported as a significant risk factor while residence and gender variation were not. High alkaline phosphatase level was reported in more than (90%) of rickety children. Conclusion: A high incidence of rickets was found in preterm babies. Un-supplemented breastfeeding is an important risk factor for the disease. Alkaline phosphatase activity and radiological features are important for screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
