Bone mineral content in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Fourteen preterm infants who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia diagnosed radiologically were compared with a group of similar infants who did not. The two groups were of comparable maturity and birth weight. The clinical histories indicated that those infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia had had longer periods of supplemental oxygen, more frequent treatment with dexamethasone, and a higher mean total dosage of frusemide. Bone mineral content in the mid-forearm was measured by photon absorptiometry at or near the postconceptional age of 40 weeks in all cases; no significant difference was found between the two groups, although both were severely undermineralised when compared with infants born at full term. In both groups mean daily calcium intake (about 70 mg/kg/day) was about half the daily intrauterine accretion of calcium.