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Body composition of preterm infants during infancy
R J Cooke1, D J Rawlings, K McCormick
1Regional Medical Physics Department Freeman Hospital Newcastle upon Tyne.
Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|April 22, 1999
Summary
Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) accurately measures body composition in preterm infants. Body composition in preterm boys and girls differs, with interpretation depending on age or weight references.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Neonatology
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Preterm infants exhibit unique growth trajectories.
- Accurate assessment of body composition is crucial for monitoring preterm infant health.
- Understanding sex-based differences in body composition is important for tailored care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate body composition in preterm infants using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
- To compare body composition between preterm males and females.
- To investigate how DEXA-derived body composition relates to age and weight references.
Main Methods:
- Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to measure body composition.
- Measurements were taken at hospital discharge, term, 12 weeks, and 6 and 12 months corrected age.
- The study included 125 preterm infants (birthweight ≤ 1750 g, gestational age ≤ 34 weeks).
Main Results:
- DEXA accurately predicted body weight compared to conventional scales.
- Lean mass, fat mass, and bone parameters increased significantly from discharge to term.
- At 12 months, boys had greater lean mass, bone area, and bone mineral mass than girls.
Conclusions:
- DEXA is a reliable method for assessing body mass in preterm infants.
- Significant sex-based differences in body composition emerge in preterm infants.
- Interpreting DEXA results requires consideration of whether age or body weight is the appropriate reference.