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Preterm infant body composition, working memory, and temperament

Erin E Morris1, Neely C Miller2, Jacob L Haapala3

  • 1Division of Neonatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Infant Behavior & Development
|January 7, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Altered infant body composition, including fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM), impacts prefrontal cortex development. Higher FM and FFM gains in preterm infants are linked to negative temperament markers up to 4 months corrected gestational age.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Development
  • Pediatric Body Composition
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Altered body composition in preterm infants is linked to cognitive risks.
  • Specific effects on prefrontal cortex (PFC) development remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) gains on PFC development.
  • To assess associations with working memory and infant temperament up to 4 months corrected gestational age (CGA).

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational pilot study of 49 preterm infants (<33 weeks gestation).
  • Body composition measured via air displacement plethysmography at discharge and 4 months CGA.
  • Temperament assessed at 12 and 24 months; working memory at 24 months CGA.

Main Results:

  • Increased FM at discharge correlated with increased infant fear and decreased soothability at 12 months.
  • Increased FM at 4 months CGA linked to altered activity, distress, attentional shifting, frustration, and inhibitory control at 12-24 months.
  • Increased FFM at 4 months CGA associated with increased activity, impulsivity, and decreased pleasure at 12-24 months.

Conclusions:

  • Increased FM and FFM after discharge are associated with negative infant temperament markers.
  • Infant temperament may be sensitive to body composition status up to 4 months CGA.

Keywords:
Body compositionInfant temperamentNeurodevelopmentPrefrontal cortexPreterm infant

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