title: Relationship between fat mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and leptin in preterm infants between term age and 6 months' corrected age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In term subjects, fat mass (FM) is positively associated with leptin, whereas studies in preterm infants show conflicting results. However, none of these studies measured FM by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This study aims to relate FM measured by DEXA in relation to leptin and growth in preterm infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 139 preterm infants, weight (kg) and length (cm) were measured at birth, term age, and 6 months' corrected age (CA). FM (kg), measured by whole-body DEXA, and leptin (µg/l) were measured at term age and 6 months' CA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At term age and 6 months' CA, FM was associated with leptin (β = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.51-2.36, and β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.26-0.48, respectively; p < 0.001). Gain in weight standard deviation score (SDS) between term age and 6 months' CA was associated with FM and leptin at 6 months' CA (β = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.18-0.30, and β = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.16-0.33, respectively; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In preterm infants, FM measured by DEXA is associated with leptin, which indicates that leptin is a marker of body FM during the first 6 months after term age. Gain in weight SDS between term age and 6 months' CA results in higher FM and higher leptin at 6 months' CA.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Department, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Merel W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: van Poelje
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van de Lagemaat
authors.forename: Harrie N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Lafeber
authors.forename: Mirjam M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Van Weissenbruch
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rotteveel
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin