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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Relationship between fat mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and leptin in preterm infants between term
Merel W van Poelje1, Monique van de Lagemaat, Harrie N Lafeber
1Pediatrics Department, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
In preterm infants, fat mass measured by DEXA is linked to leptin levels. Weight gain after term age increases both fat mass and leptin in the first six months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neonatal Research
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Leptin's association with fat mass is established in term infants, but conflicting in preterm infants.
- Previous studies lacked precise fat mass measurements in preterm infants.
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) offers accurate fat mass assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between fat mass (FM) and leptin in preterm infants.
- To utilize DEXA for precise FM measurement in this population.
- To assess the association of FM and leptin with infant growth.
Main Methods:
- 139 preterm infants were studied.
- Weight and length measured at birth, term age, and 6 months corrected age (CA).
- Whole-body DEXA for fat mass (FM) and leptin levels measured at term age and 6 months' CA.
Main Results:
- Fat mass (FM) was significantly associated with leptin at term age and 6 months' CA (p < 0.001).
- Weight gain (SDS) between term age and 6 months' CA correlated with higher FM and leptin at 6 months' CA (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Leptin serves as a marker for body fat mass in preterm infants up to 6 months post-term.
- Weight gain in corrected age influences both fat mass and leptin levels.
- DEXA-measured fat mass provides a reliable correlate for leptin in preterm infants.
Background/Aims:
In term subjects, fat mass (FM) is positively associated with leptin, whereas studies in preterm infants show conflicting results. However, none of these studies measured FM by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This study aims to relate FM measured by DEXA in relation to leptin and growth in preterm infants.
Methods:
In 139 preterm infants, weight (kg) and length (cm) were measured at birth, term age, and 6 months' corrected age (CA). FM (kg), measured by whole-body DEXA, and leptin (µg/l) were measured at term age and 6 months' CA.
Results:
At term age and 6 months' CA, FM was associated with leptin (β = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.51-2.36, and β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.26-0.48, respectively; p < 0.001). Gain in weight standard deviation score (SDS) between term age and 6 months' CA was associated with FM and leptin at 6 months' CA (β = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.18-0.30, and β = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.16-0.33, respectively; p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
In preterm infants, FM measured by DEXA is associated with leptin, which indicates that leptin is a marker of body FM during the first 6 months after term age. Gain in weight SDS between term age and 6 months' CA results in higher FM and higher leptin at 6 months' CA.
