Skinfold Thickness Measurement in Term Nigerian Neonates: Establishing Reference Values

Skin fold thickness (SFT) measurement is a reliable, cheap, simple, noninvasive method of body fat estimation at all ages including the neonatal period. Objective. To determine reference values of biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness measurements in term Nigerian newborns....

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Main Authors: Olanike Abosede Olutekunbi, Adaobi Uzoamaka Solarin, Idowu Odunayo Senbanjo, Elizabeth Aruma Disu, Olisamedua Fidelis Njokanma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:International Journal of Pediatrics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3624548
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author Olanike Abosede Olutekunbi
Adaobi Uzoamaka Solarin
Idowu Odunayo Senbanjo
Elizabeth Aruma Disu
Olisamedua Fidelis Njokanma
author_facet Olanike Abosede Olutekunbi
Adaobi Uzoamaka Solarin
Idowu Odunayo Senbanjo
Elizabeth Aruma Disu
Olisamedua Fidelis Njokanma
author_sort Olanike Abosede Olutekunbi
collection DOAJ
description Skin fold thickness (SFT) measurement is a reliable, cheap, simple, noninvasive method of body fat estimation at all ages including the neonatal period. Objective. To determine reference values of biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness measurements in term Nigerian newborns. Method. A prospective cross-sectional study over a six-month period (Dec 2010–May 2011) was carried out on term and healthy neonates delivered between 37 and 41 weeks. The anthropometric measurements were taken within the first 48 hours of life including the skinfold thickness. The skinfold thickness measurements were taken at four sites, namely, triceps, biceps, subscapular, and suprailiac, using Harpenden skinfold calipers. The mean of two readings was recorded. Result. A total of one thousand one hundred and sixty-eight neonates were studied. The birth weight ranged between 2000 g and 5000 g with a mean birth weight of the neonates at 3259±470 g. The mean birth weight of the males (3339±0.45) was significantly higher than that of females (3200±0.44) (p<0.0001). Female neonates had higher mean values of triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness (p<0.001, resp.) while male neonates had higher mean value of biceps skinfold thickness (p=0.008). Females also had higher mean values of the sum of skinfold thicknesses at all four sites and the sum at the two truncal sites at every stratified gestational age. Conclusions. The sex specific percentile chart developed for skinfold thickness measurements can be used to detect deviation from the reference population such that infants who are at risk of nutritional or health problems are identified early, and intervention is instituted promptly.
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spelling doaj-art-e86801cc12a04d5c99fcfa7053ce0e5c2025-08-20T03:21:03ZengWileyInternational Journal of Pediatrics1687-97401687-97592018-01-01201810.1155/2018/36245483624548Skinfold Thickness Measurement in Term Nigerian Neonates: Establishing Reference ValuesOlanike Abosede Olutekunbi0Adaobi Uzoamaka Solarin1Idowu Odunayo Senbanjo2Elizabeth Aruma Disu3Olisamedua Fidelis Njokanma4Paediatrics Department, Gbagada General Hospital, Gbagada, NigeriaLagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, NigeriaLagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, NigeriaLagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, NigeriaLagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, NigeriaSkin fold thickness (SFT) measurement is a reliable, cheap, simple, noninvasive method of body fat estimation at all ages including the neonatal period. Objective. To determine reference values of biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness measurements in term Nigerian newborns. Method. A prospective cross-sectional study over a six-month period (Dec 2010–May 2011) was carried out on term and healthy neonates delivered between 37 and 41 weeks. The anthropometric measurements were taken within the first 48 hours of life including the skinfold thickness. The skinfold thickness measurements were taken at four sites, namely, triceps, biceps, subscapular, and suprailiac, using Harpenden skinfold calipers. The mean of two readings was recorded. Result. A total of one thousand one hundred and sixty-eight neonates were studied. The birth weight ranged between 2000 g and 5000 g with a mean birth weight of the neonates at 3259±470 g. The mean birth weight of the males (3339±0.45) was significantly higher than that of females (3200±0.44) (p<0.0001). Female neonates had higher mean values of triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness (p<0.001, resp.) while male neonates had higher mean value of biceps skinfold thickness (p=0.008). Females also had higher mean values of the sum of skinfold thicknesses at all four sites and the sum at the two truncal sites at every stratified gestational age. Conclusions. The sex specific percentile chart developed for skinfold thickness measurements can be used to detect deviation from the reference population such that infants who are at risk of nutritional or health problems are identified early, and intervention is instituted promptly.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3624548
spellingShingle Olanike Abosede Olutekunbi
Adaobi Uzoamaka Solarin
Idowu Odunayo Senbanjo
Elizabeth Aruma Disu
Olisamedua Fidelis Njokanma
Skinfold Thickness Measurement in Term Nigerian Neonates: Establishing Reference Values
International Journal of Pediatrics
title Skinfold Thickness Measurement in Term Nigerian Neonates: Establishing Reference Values
title_full Skinfold Thickness Measurement in Term Nigerian Neonates: Establishing Reference Values
title_fullStr Skinfold Thickness Measurement in Term Nigerian Neonates: Establishing Reference Values
title_full_unstemmed Skinfold Thickness Measurement in Term Nigerian Neonates: Establishing Reference Values
title_short Skinfold Thickness Measurement in Term Nigerian Neonates: Establishing Reference Values
title_sort skinfold thickness measurement in term nigerian neonates establishing reference values
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3624548
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