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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
[Quality of growth in preterm infants assessed at term equivalent age: a pilot study]
1Institute of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, University of Milan.
Insights
Preterm infants show higher body fat mass compared to full-term newborns, despite being smaller overall. This increased adiposity poses a risk alongside their postnatal growth retardation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines emphasize matching preterm infant growth and body composition to fetal development.
- Current understanding of preterm infant body composition at term-adjusted age requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare total body fat mass between preterm infants at term-adjusted age and full-term newborns.
- To assess adherence to recommended growth and body composition standards in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study included 45 preterm infants and 40 full-term infants.
- Body composition, including fat mass, was measured using air displacement plethysmography.
- Statistical comparison utilized a T test to analyze differences in percent fat mass.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants were smaller in weight, length, and head circumference at term-adjusted age compared to full-term infants.
- Significantly higher mean percentage of fat mass was observed in preterm infants (14.5%) versus term infants (7.6%).
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants exhibit increased adiposity at term-adjusted age.
- This finding suggests a risk of developing increased adiposity in addition to postnatal growth retardation in preterm infants.
Background:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that preterm infants' growth duplicates fetal growth rates and that body composition replicates in utero body composition. Aim ofthe study was to compare the total body fat mass between preterm infants assessed at term and full-term newborns.
Methods:
A prospective observational study was conducted. Forty-five preterm infants (mean (SD) gestational age: 30,1 (2.3) weeks; birth weight: 1125 (280) g), and 40 full term (mean (SD) 38.5 (1.2) weeks, 3203 (385) g, breast fed infants underwent assessment of growth and body composition by means of an air displacement system at term adjusted-age and on day 3 of life, respectively. A T test was used to compare % fat mass between preterm and term infants.
Results:
Weight, length and head circumference were smaller in the preterm group assessed at term adjusted-age as compared to the term group. Mean (SD) percentage of fat mass in preterm infants was significantly higher as compared to term infants [14.5 (4.3) vs 7,6 (3.6), P < 0.0001].
Conclusions:
Our data demonstrate that preterm infants are at risk of developing an increased adiposity in addition to postnatal growth retardation.
