Body composition measurement for the preterm neonate: using a clinical utility framework to translate research tools into clinical care

Katherine A. Bell*, Sara E. Ramel, Daniel T. Robinson, Carol L. Wagner, Brian Scottoline, Mandy B. Belfort

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Body composition analysis to distinguish between fat mass and fat-free mass is an established research approach to assess nutritional status. Within neonatal medicine, preterm infant body composition is linked with later health outcomes including neurodevelopment and cardiometabolic health. Mounting evidence establishing fat-free mass as an indicator of nutritional status, coupled with the availability of testing approaches that are feasible to use in preterm infants, have enhanced interest in measuring body composition in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. In this paper, we use the concept of clinical utility—the added value of a new methodology over current standard care—as a framework for assessing several existing body composition methodologies with potential for clinical application to preterm neonates. We also use this framework to identify remaining knowledge gaps and prioritize efforts to advance our understanding of clinically-oriented body composition testing in the NICU.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1550-1555
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Perinatology
Volume42
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Body composition measurement for the preterm neonate: using a clinical utility framework to translate research tools into clinical care'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this