Development of subcutaneous fat in infancy. Standards for tricipital, subscapular, and suprailiacal skinfolds in german infants.

In order to assess the nutritional status of healthy infants in Berlin, the tricipital (TRI), subscapular (SCA), and suprailiacal (SIL) skinfolds were measured at several instances (2--14 times) during regular presentations at the well baby clinic offices in 265 infants of normal gestation, 140 boys and 125 girls, using the Holtain skinfold caliper. The characteristic pattern of skinfold development in infancy includes a rapid increase in width of all diameters until 3--5 months of age, and a gradual decrease thereafter. This diminution of skinfold thickness is more pronounced at the trunk (SIL and SCA) than at the limbs (TRI), indicating a change in distribution of subcutaneous tissue during infancy. Compared to the present study, previous investigations in Great Britain and Sweden have shown a maintenance of maximal skinfold values rather than a decrease during the second half of the first year. It is suggested that differences of feeding habits and calorie intake may be responsible for these discrepancies. The results of this mixed longitudinal study, performed in 1974/1975, were computed to calculate centile curves of the skinfold development in infancy, which may serve as standards for infants living under similar socioeconomic and nutritional conditions.