The term osteopenia of prematurity (OOP) or rickets of prematurity refers to the hypomineralization of preterm skeleton resulting from incomplete in-utero accretion of minerals. It is most commonly observed between 3–12 months of post conceptional age. The condition can be diagnosed clinically but only at a very advanced stage. Biochemical screening of OOP involves use of serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone levels etc. as biochemical markers. All of these lack sensitivity and specificity and therefore do not find much favor. Radiological tools are now gaining a lot of interest among researchers owing to their ability to pick the disease in early stages. X-rays still find favor and prove satisfactory in clinical practice. Quantitative analysis of bone mineral content is possible using latest techniques. These include Single Photon Absorptiometry (SPA), Dual Photon Absorptiometry (DPA), Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), transmission ultrasonography, Quantitative CT (Q.C.T) and M.R.I. All have their respective advantages and drawbacks and most are still in experimental stages only.
