Metabolic bone disease of prematurity

Advances in neonatal care have led to increased survival rates in preterm infants. Optimizing postnatal nutrition has been a critical factor for improved growth and outcomes in very low-birth-weight infants. Despite rapid progress in the field, obtaining comparable mineral delivery to fetal rates has been challenging. Metabolic bone disease of prematurity is a multifaceted condition primarily resulting from inadequate mineral supply compounded by chronic illness, an immature digestive system, and hormonal imbalance. The aim of this review is to discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of metabolic bone disease.