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Author Spotlight: Advancements in 3D Optical Imaging for Comprehensive Body Composition Assessment in Modern Research
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Body composition reference charts for infants from birth to 24 months: Multicenter Infant Body Composition Reference

Alexia J Murphy-Alford1, William Johnson2, Lukhanyo H Nyati3

  • 1Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|June 3, 2023
PubMed

Insights

New reference charts for infant body composition (0-24 months) were developed using air displacement plethysmography and deuterium dilution. These charts improve the interpretation of child nutrition and health assessments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Body Composition Analysis
  • Growth Monitoring

Background:

  • Accurate body composition assessment in early life is crucial for child nutrition and health.
  • Global reference data for infant body composition is lacking, hindering interpretation.
  • Existing methods face challenges in standardization and application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop global reference charts for infant body composition.
  • To establish references for infants aged 0-6 months using air displacement plethysmography (ADP).
  • To establish references for infants aged 3-24 months using total body water (TBW) by deuterium dilution (DD).

Main Methods:

  • Infants aged 0-6 months (n=470) from Australia, India, and South Africa underwent ADP assessment.
  • Infants aged 3-24 months (n=1026) from Brazil, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka underwent TBW assessment via DD.
  • Sex-specific reference charts and centiles were constructed using the lambda-mu-sigma method.

Main Results:

  • Reference charts were generated for fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and percent body fat (%FM).
  • Charts cover infants from 0-6 months (ADP) and 3-24 months (DD).
  • Observed differences in trajectories compared to other references, but similar patterns were noted.

Conclusions:

  • The developed reference charts enhance the interpretation of infant body composition.
  • These charts provide a valuable tool for understanding child nutrition and health in the first two years of life.
  • Strengthened understanding of body composition trajectories in infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
air displacement plethysmographybody compositiondeuterium dilutionfat mass indexfat-free mass indexinfantsreference charts

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