Risk factors for metabolic bone disease (osteopenia of prematurity) in preterm infants with very low and extremely low birth weight

The description of risk factors for disorders of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and vitamin D metabolism in preterm infants with very low and extremely low birth weight seems highly relevant today. Patients in this category often develop metabolic bone disease (osteopenia of prematurity). The search for highly specific and early clinical, metabolic, and genetic markers is necessary for timely diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of this disease. This review analyzes the associations of a certain VDR genotype with preterm birth and related complications, particularly with disorders of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. The data are presented on the effect of VDR genetic variants not only on clinical signs, but also on various links in the pathogenesis of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis disorders in women who gave birth to preterm infants very low and extremely low birth weight and in their children. Key words: vitamin D, C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (Betta-Cross-Laps), metabolic bone disease, prematurity, very low birth weight, extremely low birth weight, osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, fibroblast growth factor (FGF23)