Body composition reference charts for infants from birth to 24 months: Multicenter Infant Body Composition Reference Study

Expected and Desirable Preterm and Small Infant Growth Patterns

“…Over the past 5 decades, studies of body composition changes in infants observed consistent lean and fat tissue growth patterns that are considered to be the normal physiological adaptation after birth. At birth, term infants’ median body fat content is ∼11% [ 78 , 79 ]. Over the next 3 mo, body fat percentage increases rapidly to ∼25% [ [78] , [79] , [80] , [81] ].…”

“…At birth, term infants’ median body fat content is ∼11% [ 78 , 79 ]. Over the next 3 mo, body fat percentage increases rapidly to ∼25% [ [78] , [79] , [80] , [81] ]. The accretion of fat then increases in proportion to lean tissue growth until ∼12 mo of age, and the high body fat percentage is maintained.…”

“…The accretion of fat then increases in proportion to lean tissue growth until ∼12 mo of age, and the high body fat percentage is maintained. By 24 mo of age, body fat percentage decreases to a median of ∼22% [ [78] , [79] , [80] , [81] ].…”

Hormonal Determinants of Growth and Weight Gain in the Human Fetus and Preterm Infant

“…The progressive increases in weight during the second half of gestation and the early postnatal period are associated with a marked accumulation of adipose tissue mass ( Figure 2 , left) [ 40 , 41 ]. In combination with a decrease in linear growth velocity, this results in a progressive increase in % body fat ( Figure 2 , right) [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ].…”

“…DEXA scan estimates of body fat are from Lapillonne A et al [ 42 ]. Representative data obtained using air displacement plethysmography (ADP) in the postnatal period are from Hamatschek C et al [ 43 ] and Murphy-Alford A et al [ 44 ].…”