title: Mid-arm circumference is a reliable method to estimate adiposity in preterm and term infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premature birth is associated with increased adipose deposition after birth. Standard anthropometry (body weight, length, and head circumference) may not adequately assess fat deposition. Validated methods to assess adiposity are needed to optimize growth quality in preterm infants. The purpose of this study was to identify covariates of infant body fat.
  
  
  METHODS
  Air displacement plethysmography (ADP), standard anthropometry, and body circumferences were measured at hospital discharge in preterm (n = 28; 31-35 wk postmenstrual age (PMA)) and term (n = 28; 38-41 wks PMA) infants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body weight, length, and head circumference were lower for preterm infants (P < 0.05) at hospital discharge compared with that of term infants. Despite smaller body size and younger PMA, preterm infant percent body fat (%BF) by ADP was 12.33 ± 4.15% vs. 9.64 ± 4.01% in term infants (P = 0.01). Mid-arm circumference (MAC) is a covariate of %BF in both preterm and term infants (adjusted R(2) = 0.49; P < 0.001). In preterm infants alone, MAC accounted for 60.4% of the variability of percent body fat (%BF) by ADP (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preterm infants have increased body fat deposition as they approach term-corrected age, and MAC is a reliable, low-cost measure for monitoring infant body fat deposition in preterm and term infants.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah [2] Division of Nutrition, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Daly-Wolfe
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah [2] Division of Nutrition, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Kristine C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Hillarie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Joanna C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Beachy
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Laurie J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Moyer-Mileur
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000254:growth & development; D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition; D049628:Body Size; D001835:Body Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010991:Plethysmography / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047929:Term Birth