Exploratory study of the relationship of fat-free mass to speed of brain processing in preterm infants
A new study by the University of Minnesota shows a link in preterm infants between fat free mass (FFM) and neural development, with higher FFM resulting in better neural development.
The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between postnatal body composition and brain development as indexed by latency to the P100 peak of the VEP in preterm infants measured at 4 mo corrected age.Infants were seen at term (38–42 wk CGA) for body composition assessment with air displacement plethysmography (PEA POD) and at 4 mo CGA (55–62 wk CGA) for both body composition assessment and evaluation of speed of neural processing as indexed by VEPs.
The article conclusions include that "FFM reflects protein accretion and indexes growth of organs, including the brain. The association of shorter VEP latency (i.e., faster neuronal processing) with higher FFM (i.e., better protein status) may be attributed to the positive effects of protein status on neuronal growth and differentiation"
The article details are the following:
- Title: "Exploratory study of the relationship of fat-free mass to speed of brain processing in preterm infants"
- Authors: Pfister KM, Gray HL, Miller NC, Demerath EW, Georgieff MK, Ramel SE - Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Published in:Pediatr Res. 2013 Aug 13
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