Variability of abdominal adipose tissue measurements using computed tomography in prepubertal girls

OBJECTIVE: To determine the variability of measuring regional adipose tissue area using abdominal computed tomography (CT) in normal-weight, prepubertal girls. DESIGN: Measurements of abdominal CT were performed twice, 6 weeks apart. SUBJECTS: Sixty-one normal-weight, prepubertal girls (age: 4.8-10.3 y, mean (s.d.) BMI: 16.7 +/- 1.5 kg/m(2)). MEASUREMENTS: Abdominal adipose tissue by CT at baseline and 6 weeks later, RESULTS: There were no significant differences between visits 1 and 2 with regard to the children's average abdominal CT derived intraabdominal adipose tissue (21,64cm(2) vs 23.74cm(2)) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (62.49cm(2) vs 65.28cm(2)). The Pearson coefficient of correlation (r), P-value, total coefficient of variation (CV) and standard error of the difference (SEDelta) for intra-individual measurements between visits 1 and 2 by abdominal CT were: total abdominal adipose tissue, r= 0.94, P < 0.0001, CV= 12.34%, SEDelta 2.25 cm(2); subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, r=0.96, P<0.0001, CV=10.67%, SEDelta-1.57cm(2): and intraabdominal adipose tissue, r=0.67, P<0.0001, CV=21.5%, SEDelta=1.11cm(2). The mean ratios of intraabdominal to subcutaneous adipose tissue on visits 1 and 2 were 0.42 +/- 0.2 and 0.44 +/- 0.24, respectively. CONCLUSION: Regional adipose tissue area measurements using abdominal CT were reliable in healthy, normal-weight, prepubertal girls.