Osteopontin is an acidic glycoprotein which may prevent nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis by inhibiting the growth and retention of calcium oxalate crystals within the tubular lumen. The purpose of this study was to obtain preliminary data regarding urinary osteopontin in premature infants at risk for nephrocalcinosis. We examined urinary osteopontin concentration in premature infants, term infants and adults, and examined the relationship between urinary calcium and osteopontin concentration in these groups. The urinary osteopontin concentration of 17 premature infants of 3.7 1.2 microg/ml was not significantly different from the urinary osteopontin concentration of 12 term infants of 6 6 microg/ml, while the urinary osteopontin concentration in 23 urine specimens from adults of 27 15 microg/ml was significantly higher than premature infants and term infants (p < 0.05). Urinary osteopontin concentration did not correlate with urinary calcium concentration in premature infants, while there was a correlation between the osteopontin/creatinine ratio and calcium/creatinine ratios in premature infants. Diminished urinary concentration of osteopontin may enhance the risk for nephrocalcinosis in premature infants. (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Article
Preliminary observations of urinary calcium and osteopontin excretion in premature infants, term infants and adults
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Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
6-1-2008
Abstract
Publication ISSN
0884-8734
Citation Information
Rockwell GF, Morgan MJ, Braden G, Campfield TJ. Preliminary observations of urinary calcium and osteopontin excretion in premature infants, term infants and adults Neonatology 2008 Jun;93(4):241-5.