Aims: To examine body composition in preterm infants (n = 125, birth weight <1750 g, gestational age <34 weeks).
Method: Body composition was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at hospital discharge, term, 12 weeks, and at 6 and 12 months corrected age.
Results: DEXA-derived body weight accurately predicted that determined by conventional scales. In both sexes, lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), % FM, bone area (BA), bone~mineral~mass (BMM), and bone mineral density (BMD) increased rapidly during the study; statistically significant changes were detectable between discharge and term. At 12 months, LM, BA, and BMM but not FM, % FM, or BMD were greater in boys than in girls. Corrected for age, LM was less than, FM and % FM were similar to, but BMM was greater-than the-reference term infant. Corrected for weight, LM was similar, while FM and % FM of study infants were slightly greater than the reference infant.
Conclusions: DEXA accurately measures body mass. Body composition in preterm boys and girls differs. Interpretation of DEXA-derived values may depend on whether age or body weight are regarded as the appropriate reference.
Cooke RJ, McCormick K, Rawlings DJ, Faulkner K, et al. (1999). Body Composition of Preterm Infants during Infancy. Archives of Childhood Diseases 80(3):188-191.
David J. Rawlings, NGH Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tel: +44 (0)191-233-6161.
Regional Medical Physics Department, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6BE, UK.
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