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Body composition in preterm infants: a systematic review on measurement methods
Dana F J Yumani1, Dide de Jongh2,3, Johannes C F Ket4
1Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.yumani@amsterdamumc.nl.
Pediatric Research
|August 22, 2022
Summary
Accurate body composition measurement in preterm infants remains challenging. While dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and isotope dilution are trusted, their results may not be comparable.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Pediatric body composition analysis
- Clinical measurement validation
Background:
- Accurate body composition assessment is crucial for preterm infants, yet no single method is universally preferred.
- Existing measurement techniques lack standardized agreement, complicating clinical practice and research.
Approach:
- A systematic review of 1884 studies was conducted, focusing on body composition measurement validity in preterm infants up to 6 months corrected age.
- Included studies compared various methods like bioelectrical impedance and ultrasound against reference standards such as dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and isotope dilution.
Key Points:
- Predictive equations using weight, length, circumferences, skinfolds, bioelectrical impedance, and ultrasound showed poor agreement with reference methods.
- Air displacement plethysmography (ADP) demonstrated good agreement with isotope dilution for fat mass density but not for fat mass percentage.
- Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and isotope dilution were not extensively compared against other reference methods in preterm populations.
Conclusions:
- Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and isotope dilution are considered validated and trustworthy techniques for assessing body composition in preterm infants.
- Despite their validated status, significant variability exists between these methods, indicating potential discrepancies in results and the need for further standardization.
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