Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that reduced birth weight in normal fetuses born at moderately high altitude (Denver), compared with the birth weight in normal fetuses born at sea level (Milan), is caused by a reduction in both lean mass and subcutaneous fat mass. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-four normal singleton pregnancies (46 in Denver, 48 in Milan) had serial ultrasonographic axial images obtained to assess subcutaneous tissues of fetuses as a measure of body fat. The abdominal wall thickness and mid upper arm and mid thigh were examined. The equation was: Subcutaneous tissue equals total cross-sectional area minus bone and muscle area. Lean mass included the area of muscle and bone, head circumference, and femur length. RESULTS: Gestational age at delivery was similar between groups. Birth weight was less at Denver's altitude (2991 ± 79 g versus 3247 ± 96 g; P = .04). Abdominal wall thickness, mid upper arm, and mid thigh subcutaneous tissues measurements were significantly reduced at Denver's altitude and increased further in significance with advancing gestational age. Lean mass measurements were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced birth weight of the newborns in Denver was the result of a reduction in fetal subcutaneous fat tissue and not lean mass. Ultrasonography can be used to follow subcutaneous measurements longitudinally and to detect differences, and potentially disease processes, in study populations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 839-844 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Volume | 185 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Altitude
- Fat
- Fetus
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Subcutaneous tissue
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Cite this
Reduction of subcutaneous mass, but not lean mass, in normal fetuses in Denver, Colorado. / Galan, Henry L.; Rigano, Serena; Radaelli, Tatjana; Cetin, Irene; Bozzo, Maddalena; Chyu, Jacquelyn; Hobbins, John C.; Ferrazzi, Enrico.
In: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 185, No. 4, 2001, p. 839-844.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Reduction of subcutaneous mass, but not lean mass, in normal fetuses in Denver, Colorado
AU - Galan, Henry L.
AU - Rigano, Serena
AU - Radaelli, Tatjana
AU - Cetin, Irene
AU - Bozzo, Maddalena
AU - Chyu, Jacquelyn
AU - Hobbins, John C.
AU - Ferrazzi, Enrico
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that reduced birth weight in normal fetuses born at moderately high altitude (Denver), compared with the birth weight in normal fetuses born at sea level (Milan), is caused by a reduction in both lean mass and subcutaneous fat mass. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-four normal singleton pregnancies (46 in Denver, 48 in Milan) had serial ultrasonographic axial images obtained to assess subcutaneous tissues of fetuses as a measure of body fat. The abdominal wall thickness and mid upper arm and mid thigh were examined. The equation was: Subcutaneous tissue equals total cross-sectional area minus bone and muscle area. Lean mass included the area of muscle and bone, head circumference, and femur length. RESULTS: Gestational age at delivery was similar between groups. Birth weight was less at Denver's altitude (2991 ± 79 g versus 3247 ± 96 g; P = .04). Abdominal wall thickness, mid upper arm, and mid thigh subcutaneous tissues measurements were significantly reduced at Denver's altitude and increased further in significance with advancing gestational age. Lean mass measurements were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced birth weight of the newborns in Denver was the result of a reduction in fetal subcutaneous fat tissue and not lean mass. Ultrasonography can be used to follow subcutaneous measurements longitudinally and to detect differences, and potentially disease processes, in study populations.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that reduced birth weight in normal fetuses born at moderately high altitude (Denver), compared with the birth weight in normal fetuses born at sea level (Milan), is caused by a reduction in both lean mass and subcutaneous fat mass. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-four normal singleton pregnancies (46 in Denver, 48 in Milan) had serial ultrasonographic axial images obtained to assess subcutaneous tissues of fetuses as a measure of body fat. The abdominal wall thickness and mid upper arm and mid thigh were examined. The equation was: Subcutaneous tissue equals total cross-sectional area minus bone and muscle area. Lean mass included the area of muscle and bone, head circumference, and femur length. RESULTS: Gestational age at delivery was similar between groups. Birth weight was less at Denver's altitude (2991 ± 79 g versus 3247 ± 96 g; P = .04). Abdominal wall thickness, mid upper arm, and mid thigh subcutaneous tissues measurements were significantly reduced at Denver's altitude and increased further in significance with advancing gestational age. Lean mass measurements were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced birth weight of the newborns in Denver was the result of a reduction in fetal subcutaneous fat tissue and not lean mass. Ultrasonography can be used to follow subcutaneous measurements longitudinally and to detect differences, and potentially disease processes, in study populations.
KW - Altitude
KW - Fat
KW - Fetus
KW - Intrauterine growth restriction
KW - Subcutaneous tissue
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034781120&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0034781120&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1067/mob.2001.117350
DO - 10.1067/mob.2001.117350
M3 - Article
C2 - 11641662
AN - SCOPUS:0034781120
VL - 185
SP - 839
EP - 844
JO - American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
JF - American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
SN - 0002-9378
IS - 4
ER -