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Longitudinal body composition data in exclusively breast-fed infants: a multicenter study

David A Fields1, Janet M Gilchrist, Patrick M Catalano

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Children's Medical Research Institute, Diabetes and Metabolic Research Program, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. dfields@ouhsc.edu

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|February 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Reference body composition data is crucial for infant growth assessment. This study developed longitudinal %fat and total fat-free mass curves for infants from birth to 4 months, aiding healthcare professionals in evaluating infant growth and nutrition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Infant Growth and Development
  • Body Composition Analysis

Background:

  • Accurate reference data for infant body composition, specifically %fat and total fat-free mass, is essential for monitoring healthy growth.
  • Existing data may be insufficient for evaluating typical development in the first six months of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish longitudinal reference data for %fat and total fat-free mass in exclusively breast-fed infants from birth to 6 months of age.
  • To create gender-specific growth curves for infant body composition during the first four months of life.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, multicenter, prospective cohort study involving 160 infants (84 male).
  • Whole-body composition (% fat and total fat-free mass) was measured using air-displacement plethysmography (PEA POD).
  • Data collection included maternal prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and infant anthropometrics at multiple time points from birth to 6 months.

Main Results:

  • Both % fat and total fat-free mass significantly increased from birth to 4 months of age (P < 0.0001).
  • Gender-specific curves for %fat and total fat-free mass were successfully generated for infants up to 4 months of age.
  • Mean birth weight was 3.46 ± 0.39 kg.

Conclusions:

  • The developed longitudinal %fat and total fat-free mass data provide valuable reference curves for infant growth.
  • These findings will assist healthcare professionals in assessing normal growth and nutritional status in early infancy.
  • The study highlights significant changes in body composition during the first four months of life.

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