Rickets among a Group of Preterm Babies under the Age of Two Years at AL Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Childhood

Authors

  • Mohammed Maher Al-Ani
  • Rana F. Shitran
  • Rafi Khaleel Al-Ani

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i3.15552

Keywords:

Preterm babies, Rickets, Risk factors, West Iraq.Running title; Rickets in preterm babies at Ramadi city.

Abstract

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.

Author Biographies

  • Mohammed Maher Al-Ani

    Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics , University of Anbar/ Iraq

  • Rana F. Shitran

    Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics , University of Anbar/ Iraq

  • Rafi Khaleel Al-Ani

    Specialist, Alramadi Teaching Hospital For Maternity and Childhood /Iraq

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Published

2021-05-17

How to Cite

Rickets among a Group of Preterm Babies under the Age of Two Years at AL Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Childhood. (2021). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 15(3), 1691-1695. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i3.15552