Sequential Concentrations of Copper and Ceruloplasmin in Serum from Preterm Infants with Rickets and Fractures

Concentrations of copper (Cu) and ceruioplasmin in serum were measured senaliy in 49 preterm infantswith mean (± SEM) birth weights of 979 ± 33 g and gestational ages of 28.4 ± 0.3 weeks at three, six, nine, and 12 months postpar-tum. Serial radiographic studies showed 17 infants with (group A) and 32 infants without (group B) rickets or fractures. Cu and ceruloplasmin concentrations inserum also were measured in 21 healthy term infants (group C) with birth weights 3668 ±989 at three, six, and 12 months postpartum. Analyses of covanance of serial changes in these serum variables-taking into account SUChpotential covanates as differences in gestational age, birth weight, initial weight and length, changes in weight and length during the study, the duration of parenteral nutrition, and increased enteral copper intake-showed both groups of pretemi infants had signifi