Subcutaneous fat stores related to weight in full-term neonates

Background: Subcutaneous fat stores in newborns have been related to weight (W) and skinfolds (SK); both are influenced by gestational age (GA) and there are few studies analysing the association between them. Aim: The present study assessed fat storage in term newborns that are appropriately nouris...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of human biology 2009, Vol.36 (1), p.88-97
Main Authors: Luque, Veronica, Mendez, Georgina, Capdevila, Francesca, Closa, Ricardo, Ferre, Natalia, Reina Garcia, Maria, Escribano, Joaquin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adipose Tissue - anatomy & histology
Adiposity - physiology
anthropometry
Anthropometry - methods
Arm - anatomy & histology
Birth Weight
body composition
Body Height
Fetal Weight - physiology
Gestational Age
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology
Newborn
Nutritional Status
Scapula - anatomy & histology
Sex Factors
Skinfold Thickness
Subcutaneous Fat - anatomy & histology
Term Birth - metabolism
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Summary:Background: Subcutaneous fat stores in newborns have been related to weight (W) and skinfolds (SK); both are influenced by gestational age (GA) and there are few studies analysing the association between them. Aim: The present study assessed fat storage in term newborns that are appropriately nourished. Subjects: Subjects were 1259 singleton term newborns, with appropriate weight for GA. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was utilized where weight, length, tricipital skinfold (TSK), subscapular skinfold (SSK) and mid upper arm (MUA) circumference were measured at birth. MUA areas and the TSK/W and SSK/W ratios were calculated. Data were analysed according to gender and GA. Results: Weight and length were higher in males, while TSK, SSK, MUA fat area, MUA fat percentage, TSK/W and SSK/W were higher in females. Weight and length increased with GA in both genders. SK did not increase with GA, except the TSK in males. The TSK/W and SSK/W ratios decreased significantly with GA age in both genders. Percentiles of TSK/W and SSK/W ratios are presented. Conclusion: The study provides a new perspective to the idea that fat storage increases continuously during the last period of gestation. The data presented showed that this phenomenon is not clearly demonstrated for full-term infants with appropriate weight for GA.
ISSN:0301-4460
1464-5033
DOI:10.1080/03014460802575633