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Changes in Quantitative Ultrasound in Infants Born at Less than 32 Weeks’ Gestation Over the First 2 Years of Life: Influence of Clinical and Biochemical Changes

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Abstract

Studies in preterm infants show reduced speed of sound (SOS) as measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) during the immediate neonatal period. There is a scarcity of data on SOS changes following hospital discharge. The aim of this study was to assess SOS over the first 2 years in preterm infants. Infants were recruited from a neonatal follow-up clinic. Tibial QUS was performed using the Omnisense 7000P scanner. Thirty-nine infants born at <32 weeks’ gestation had a single SOS measurement (median 3,203 m/second, range 2,609–3,495) which correlated with corrected gestational age (CGA) (r = 0.8, P < 0.005). The majority of measurements were within the manufacturer’s reference range for term infants. SOS standard deviation score (SDS) in infants aged 0–6 months CGA demonstrated a negative correlation with duration of total parenteral nutrition (r = 0.7, P < 0.05) and a positive correlation with serum phosphate (r = 0.6, P < 0.05.) Two groups of infants had serial measurements: eight had measurements performed at term CGA and early infancy (early) and seven had measurements in later infancy (late). In the early group SOS SDS increased (P < 0.005), and the greatest increase in SOS over time occurred in infants with the lowest SOS at term (r = 0.9). In the late group there was no significant change over time. SOS SDS change did not show any correlation to weight SDS change. Catch-up in SOS occurs postterm in most infants by 6 months and is independent of postnatal growth. Infants with the lowest SOS at term have the fastest rate of catch-up. The opportunity for catch-up may be greatest in early infancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bone and Endocrine Research Group, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, 3 Dalnair Street, Yorkhill, Glasgow, G3 8SJ, UK

    H. McDevitt, C. Tomlinson, M. P. White & S. F. Ahmed

  2. Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK

    M. P. White & S. F. Ahmed

Authors
  1. H. McDevitt
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  2. C. Tomlinson
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  3. M. P. White
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  4. S. F. Ahmed
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Correspondence to S. F. Ahmed.

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McDevitt, H., Tomlinson, C., White, M.P. et al. Changes in Quantitative Ultrasound in Infants Born at Less than 32 Weeks’ Gestation Over the First 2 Years of Life: Influence of Clinical and Biochemical Changes. Calcif Tissue Int 81, 263–269 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-007-9064-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-007-9064-7

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