Caliper skinfold measurements in newborns: analysis of a method.

Bilateral skinfold measurements on 10 different sites were performed blindly by 3 investigators in 118 newborns with a mean birth weight from 1,700 to 4,200 g. The caliper method was precise as judged by intra- and interobserver variances. Precision was independent of skinfold thickness, and not related to amount of training. Bilateral measurements of skinfolds over the quadriceps, pectoral and biceps muscles carried the highest precision. Precision was significantly increased by combination of these 3 measurements. There was no significant difference between the precision of these 3 bilateral measurements and 5 selected unilateral sites. For clinical practice, we recommend cumulated measurements of right-sided skinfolds over the quadriceps, pectoral, biceps and triceps muscles and subscapular skinfold.