MRI-Derived Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose Tissue Reference Values for Children Aged 6 to Under 18 Years
Kacper Marunowski1, Dominik Świętoń1, Włodzimierz Bzyl2
1Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Insights
This study introduces a new method using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess body composition in children. MRI-derived fat reference values offer a reproducible way to evaluate pediatric nutrition status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Radiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Accurate body composition assessment is crucial for pediatric nutritional support.
- Current methods for assessing pediatric body composition have limitations.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a potential solution for precise fat measurement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel approach for nutrition status assessment in children.
- To introduce normative reference values for subcutaneous and visceral fat derived from MRI.
- To establish MRI-derived body composition metrics for pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- 262 healthy children (6-18 years) underwent MRI and anthropometric measurements.
- Semi-automatic tissue segmentation of MRI images at the second lumbar vertebrae was performed by radiologists.
- Sex-specific standard percentile curves and z-scores for adipose tissue were constructed using the LMS method.
Main Results:
- Normative reference values for subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue were established.
- 85th and 95th centiles were proposed as indicators for overweight and obesity.
- Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated excellent intra-observer reproducibility and inter-observer agreement.
Conclusions:
- The developed MRI-based method for body composition assessment is highly reproducible.
- MRI-derived reference values for pediatric fat distribution can be implemented in clinical practice.
- This approach enhances the accuracy of nutrition status assessment in children.
Abstract:
The assessment of body composition in pediatric population is essential for proper nutritional support during hospitalization. However, currently available methods have limitations. This study aims to propose a novel approach for nutrition status assessment and introduce magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived subcutaneous and visceral fat normative reference values. A total of 262 healthy subjects aged from 6 to 18 years underwent MRI examinations and anthropometric measurements. MRI images at the second lumbar vertebrae were used by two radiologists to perform the semi-automatic tissue segmentation. Based on obtained adipose tissue surface areas and body mass index (BMI) scores sex-specific standard percentile curves (3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 97th) and z-scores were constructed using LMS method. Additionally, 85th and 95th centiles of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue were proposed as equivalents of overweight and obesity. Bland-Altman plots revealed an excellent intra-observer reproducibility and inter-observer agreement. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate highly reproducible method and suggest that MRI-derived reference values can be implemented in clinical practice.
