title: Waist circumference and mesenteric fat in neonates: negative correlation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure mesenteric fat thickness with ultrasound scan in neonates and to assess the correlation with waist circumference.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety five healthy newborns had the maximum thickness of mesenteric leaves measured by ultrasound examinations of abdomen with an Envisor scanner (Philips Ultrasound, Bothell, Wash) and a L12-5 transducer (Philips Ultrasound). The correlation between the thickness of mesenteric leaves with abdominal waist was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum thickness of mesenteric leaves ranged from 0.24 to 1.00 mm (x = 0.57 ± 0.17) . There was a significant negative correlation between abdominal waist (AW) and mesenteric fat thickness (r = -0.384; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mesenteric fat thickness in newborns is inversely associated with waist circumference. Higher visceral adiposity in neonates may be a protective mechanism from intrauterine growth restriction however this could persist into adulthood life.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP), Rua Antenor Navarro, Graças, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. joaoguilherme@imip.org.br
authors.forename: João Guilherme
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Maria Paula
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Farias
authors.forename: Renata Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gazineu
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bandeira
authors.forename: Jucille
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Eduardo Just
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: da Costa E Silva
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D008643:Mesentery; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055105:Waist Circumference