Body Composition Reference Data for Preterm Infants
Body Composition Reference Data for Preterm Infants
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that growth in size (weight, length, and
 head circumference) and in body composition (fat and lean mass) in preterm infants should
 adhere as close as possible to the growth and body composition of a healthy infant in utero
 at the same gestational age. However, there are no body composition reference curves
 available at this time for the preterm infant population. The purpose of this study is to
 collect cross-sectional body composition data using air displacement plethysmography (PEA POD
 Infant Body Composition System, Life Measurement, Inc) on approximately 240 preterm infants
 within 3 days of birth, for the purpose of generating means, standard deviations, and
 percentile values for total body fat mass, total fat free mass, and percent body fat for
 infants born at 30-36 weeks gestation. Relatively healthy infants without evidence of growth
 retardation will be selected for form the reference sample. The goal is to generate a set of
 common reference curves to be used in clinical centers against which to compare body
 composition status for individual infants.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Appropriate for gestational age (AGA), singleton, 30+0 and 36+6 weeks gestational age

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Congenital defects that affect growth

 -  Inability to tolerate room air for 5 minutes without desaturation or bradycardia

 -  <1 kg birth weight

 -  Parents did not provide consent