Abstract 196
Aims: To examine the regional changes in lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), percentage fat mass (%FM) and bone mineral mass (BMM) of preterm infants during the first year of life.
Subjects: 160 preterm infants (birthweight≤1750g, gestational age≤34 weeks).
Methods: Whole body Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed at hospital discharge, term, 3, and 6 months corrected age. The data was analysed by ANOVA.
Results: DEXA detects significant regional increases in LM, FM and BMM by term. At discharge and 6m, sex differences exist in whole and regional body composition. Increments differ regionally with LM deposited mainly in the torso, FM on the legs and BMM in the skull. Regional results(mean) are presented by sex. (* = p<0.05 for boys v girls. M = male. F = female) Table
Conclusions: Regional body composition differences exist between boys and girls. The rate of LM, FM and BMM accretion varies by region. DEXA detects regional changes in body composition over short periods of time.
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McCormick, K., Cooke, R., Griffin, I. et al. Regional Changes in Body Composition of Preterm Infants at 6 months of Age. Pediatr Res 44, 451 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199809000-00229
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199809000-00229
