Mineral nutrition and bone mineralization in full-term infants

Abstract

Bone mineralization is an intricate and tightly regulated process. Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are the main minerals and play a principal role in skeletal mineralization. The following conclusions can be derived from different clinical studies. The large differences in Ca/P ratio between different formulas and between formulas and human milk suggest that most healthy full-term infants can adjust to a wide range of Ca/P ratio in their diet. The differences in serum levels of mineral and of mineral-regulating hormones are rarely clinically significant and most probably reflect continued compensatory mechanisms activated in response to dietary differences to maintain these levels within clinically normal ranges. Thus in most cases, these compensatory mechanisms are sufficient to reverse both short-term and long-term consequences and to prevent clinical disease. In the case of neonatal tetany, the compensatory mechanisms are overwhelmed, resulting in clinical signs and disease. Vitamin D is known to play an essential role in bone mineralization. Our studies have shown significant differences in vitamin D status in breast-fed infants with and without vitamin D supplementation and in infants fed various "humanized" formulas, whether cow milk-based or soy protein-based. The major variables affecting bone mineralization are Ca/P ratio and mineral-regulating hormones. However, factors such as season, geography (i.e. sun exposure), race and sex may have a significant long-term influence on bone mineralization and mineral metabolism. Some biological differences such as differences in serum vitamin D metabolite level may directly effect Ca/P absorption and retention and thus bone mineralization and growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)