Incidence of rickets of prematurity at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi

Abstract

Background:Reports of osteopaenia/rickets of prematurity are on the increase due to improved survival rates of low birthweight infants. Objectives: To establish the incidence of rickets of prematurity by the age of six months in premature infants born at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Newborn unit and paediatric outpatient follow up clinic of Kenyatta National Hospital. Subject: Successive surviving infants of birthweight less than 2000 g residents in Nairobi. Results: Incidence of rickets of prematurity by six months of age was 58.8%. Rickets appeared more commonly in male infants compared to female infants. Conclusion: Rickets of prematurity is a common problem in the premature infants seen at Kenyatta National Hospital. Routine vitamin D supplements to premature infants in adequate doses of at least 400iu per day should be adopted in our centre.