Longitudinal Body Composition Data in Exclusively Breast-Fed Infants: A Multicenter Study

Reference % fat and total fat-free mass data is necessary for evaluating growth in infants. We aimed to develop longitudinal % fat and total fat-free mass data in infants from birth to 6 months of age. An observational, multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted with assessments at birth, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months of age. Subjects were exclusively breast-fed and were enrolled at three centers. Whole-body composition (i.e., % fat and total fat-free mass) were assessed using air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) (PEA POD; Life Measurement, Concord, CA). Maternal prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and infant anthropometric data were collected. A total of 160 infants (boys = 84) were assessed from birth to 4 months of age. Mean birth weight was 3.46 +/- 0.39 kg % fat and fat-free mass significantly increased from birth to 4 months of age (P < 0.0001). Gender-specific % fat and total fat-free mass curves for infants from birth to 4 months of age were created. This study will be beneficial to health-care professionals in evaluating normal growth and nutritional patterns in the first months of life.