ABSTRACT
AIMS: Abdominal circumference (AC) assessment may be used as an index of abdominal visceral size, fetal fat store, and intrauterine nutrition. The aim of this study is to construct sex-specific references and smoothed percentiles for AC at birth in term and near-term Caucasian infants. METHODS: AC was measured in 4542 singleton newborns (2323 males, 2219 females), at a gestational age > or =35 weeks. Smoothed percentiles for AC were constructed by sex and gestational age according to the LMS method. RESULTS: Males had higher AC than females but differences were only statistically significant beyond 37 weeks. AC increased from 35 to 41 weeks in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Sex-specific references constructed for AC in term and near-term Caucasian newborns might be used, as other anthropometric parameters, in the assessment of nutritional status at birth.
Subject(s)
Abdomen/anatomy & histology , Anthropometry , Body Size , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Prospective Studies , Reference Standards , Sex Factors , Spain , Term Birth , White PeopleABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The pattern and distribution of subcutaneous fat in term and preterm newborns has been assessed by skinfold thicknesses (ST), describing gender and gestational age variations. Weight, length and ST (triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac) were measured in 4634 neonates (2445 males and 2189 females) aged from 32 to 41 gestational weeks. Central to total skinfold ratio (CTS), (suprailiac + subscapular)/sum of 4 ST, was calculated. Males were heavier and longer than females. The sum of 4 ST and CTS was higher in females at every gestational age (with significant differences from 35 weeks) and also the sum of 4 ST per kg body weight (P < 0.05 from 32-33 weeks). Throughout the gestational period, ST increased significantly (P < 0.0001) but CTS did not show variations, neither in males nor in females. CONCLUSION: term and preterm females have a more centralised pattern and more amount of subcutaneous fat than males. Central to total skinfold ratio must be considered as an index of centripetal fat store which is independant of gestational age.
