Ultrasound, Peds Body Composition, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Use of Bedside Ultrasound to Monitor Body Composition and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Formerly-Premature Toddlers

The overall objective of the proposal is to evaluate the ability of ultrasound to predict the body composition of toddlers in the outpatient clinical setting and to evaluate the relationship between body composition and neurodevelopment.

The investigators will address the hypothesis in the following Specific Aims:

Specific Aim 1: Validate ultrasound as a method to measure whole body fat mass and fat-free mass in toddlers. Body composition will be assessed using ultrasound measurements and the validated method of air displacement plethysmography (ADP).

Specific Aim 2: Determine the effect of a handheld Force-Measuring Ultrasound Probe on intra- and inter-observer variability in ultrasound measurements. A device which measures the force applied to the ultrasound probe will be used to obtain measurements of muscle and adipose tissue thickness (biceps, abdomen, and quadriceps) in toddlers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• toddlers who were ≤ 36 weeks gestational age (GA) at birth who attend the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital NICU Follow Up Clinic
• written consent obtained from a parent before or at time of visit

Exclusion Criteria:

• toddlers who require medical support that prevents them from having ADP measurements taken
• those with an inability to sit in a supported seat for 5 minutes
• those weighing less than 10 kg