A decrease in the amount of calcium and phosphorus in bones describes osteopenia, according to MedlinePlus. Osteopenia causes bones to become weak and brittle, increasing the risk for fractures. Osteopenia is considered the precursor for osteoporosis, as osteoporosis can eventually develop in people already diagnosed with osteopenia, according to MayoClinic.com. Osteopenia and osteoporosis can be accurately diagnosed via duel-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA. DEXA is used to calculate bone density and can show when osteopenia develops into osteoporosis.
Development
Women transfer large of amounts of calcium and phosphorus to their babies during the last three months of pregnancy. This transfer assists the baby's bones in growing strong prior to birth, according to MedlinePlus. This increased fetal activity in the last three months of pregnancy is imperative to aid bone development. However, a premature infant usually does not receive the proper amount of calcium and phosphorus, thus causing osteopenia to develop. Infants with osteopenia have weak bones, initially limiting their movement.
Characteristics
MedlinePlus states that premature infants born prior to 30 weeks usually have some form of osteopenia, but they usually do not display any physical symptoms. However, infants born with severe osteopenia usually show physical symptoms, such as decreased movement and swelling of an arm or leg due to an unknown fracture. Fractures during infancy typically heal well on their own with gentle handling. Premature infants with osteopenia remain at increased risk for fractures throughout their first year of life, according to MedlinePlus.
Prevention/Solution
Researchers recommend that parents add calcium and phosphorus supplements to breast milk or IV fluids, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. Special premature infant formulas should be used if breast milk is not available. UMMC researchers also recommend that babies with osteopenia and liver problems take vitamin D supplements.
Diagnosis
Osteopenia is diagnosed via bone mineral density testing. Although there are many forms of bone mineral density testing, DEXA is the most accurate test, according to UMMC. Painless and relatively quick, a DEXA scan takes less than 10 minutes. Although DEXA results show multiple numbers, the T-score is the most influential number in interpreting bone mineral density. A T-score of -1 or greater is normal, -1 to -2.5 is osteopenia, and -2.5 or lower is osteoporosis, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
Effects
Osteopenia can eventually lead to osteoporosis, according to the University of Michigan Health System. In fact, researchers describe osteopenia as a precursor to osteoporosis because the bones are already less dense and more susceptible to fractures, according to MayoClinic.com. Osteoporosis develops when the bones become very brittle and porous. People with osteoporosis need to be very careful because mild stressors like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture, notes MayoClinic.com.
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