Serum Calcium, Phosphorus and Alkaline Phosphatase levels in Preterm Babies [RRP JOURNALS]

ENGLISH/ANGLAIS] Preterm is defined as a baby with a gestation of less than 37 completed weeks. Premature infants are known to be at risk of developing metabolic bone disease. Preterm have low serum Calcium and Phosphorus level, with increased serum alkaline phosphates activity. In this study serum Calcium, Phosphorus and ALP activities were measured in preterm babies. The present study comprised of 75 preterm babies of which 25 were of 28-30 weeks, 25 were of 30-32 weeks and remaining 25 were of 34-36 weeks (controls) of gestational age. Serum Calcium and Phosphorus levels were found to be significantly low and serum ALP activity were found to be significantly high (p<0.001) at 28-30 weeks as compared to 34-36 weeks (controls) but serum Calcium and Phosphorous levels were found to be insignificantly low while serum ALP activities were found to be insignificantly high at 28-30 weeks as compared to 30-32 weeks of gestational age in preterm babies. The correlation between serum Calcium and Phosphorus were found to be positive at all gestational ages whereas serum ALP is negatively correlated with serum Calcium and Phosphorus at all gestational ages. It can be concluded that high serum ALP activity and low serum Calcium, and Phosphorus levels are associated with preterm babies.