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Author Spotlight: Advancements in 3D Optical Imaging for Comprehensive Body Composition Assessment in Modern Research
Published on: June 7, 2024
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.
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.
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