Fractures and rickets in very low birth weight infants: conservative management and outcome.

Fractures and rickets (F/R) often occur in very low birth weight (VLBW less than 1500 g) infants who are acutely ill. However, there are no prospective longitudinal studies of the clinical course of F/R in these infants. In a prospective study of 78 VLBW infants during the first year after birth, radiographic evidence of healing and remodeling of F/R was noted in affected infants (n = 25) concurrent with increased enteral intake and physical growth, and regardless of whether specific orthopedic treatment was initiated. Skeletal maturation as indicated by the development of ossification centers at the wrists was directly related to weight gain, and was similar to term infants by 1 year. No infant had skeletal deformities on follow-up examination. We suggest that VLBW infants with F/R can be managed "conservatively," with emphasis on nutritional intake to achieve weight gain.