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Development of a predictive model of body fat mass for newborns and infants
Daniele Marano1, Elissa de Oliveira Couto2, Yasmin Notarbartolo di Villarosa do Amaral1
1Clinical Research Unit, Instituto Nacional da Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira (IFF), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Insights
New predictive models estimate body fat mass in newborns and infants using simple measurements. These equations offer valuable tools for nutritional monitoring, especially where advanced body composition technology is unavailable.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Biometry
Background:
- Accurate body composition assessment is crucial for infant and newborn health.
- Traditional methods for measuring body fat mass can be complex or inaccessible in certain clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate predictive models for estimating body fat mass (BFM) in newborns and infants.
- To establish practical equations for BFM estimation using readily available anthropometric data.
Main Methods:
- Utilized air displacement plethysmography as the reference method.
- Employed a stepwise regression analysis with predictors including sex, weight, length, skinfold thickness, and circumference measurements.
- Evaluated model quality using R-squared, variance inflation factor, and residual analysis; assessed agreement with Bland-Altman plots.
Main Results:
- Developed a predictive model for newborns (R² = 70%) and infants (R² = 84%).
- The final models incorporate weight, specific anthropometric measurements (PCT for newborns, TSF for infants), and gender.
Conclusions:
- Established practical equations for estimating body fat mass in newborns and infants.
- These models can aid clinical practice and nutritional monitoring in resource-limited health units.
Objectives:
The aim of this study is to develop predictive body fat mass models, one for newborns and one for infants, using air displacement plethysmography as a reference method.
Methods:
The study was carried out with 125 newborns (1-5 d of age) and 71 infants (≥3-6 mo). The stepwise method was used to estimate the final model from the predictors of sex, weight, length, triceps skinfold, waist circumference, mean arm circumference, and gestational age. The quality of the models was evaluated by the determination coefficient, variance inflation factor, and residual analysis. The paired t test and Bland-Altman plot were used to assess the agreement between observed and estimated values.
Results:
The final model for newborns was - 0.76638 + 0.2512 * weight (kg) + 0.0620 * PCT (mm) + 0.0754 * gender (R² = 70%) and the final model for infants: -2.22748 + 0.4928 * weight (kg) + 0.0737 * TSF (mm) + 0.2647 * gender (R² = 84%).
Conclusions:
This work determined equations to estimate the BFM of term newborns and infants. The models can be used in clinical practice, especially in health units without access to technologies for measuring body composition, adding important information for nutritional monitoring.
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