Subcutaneous fat distribution in small for gestational age newborns

We assessed the anthropometric characteristics of symmetric (SGA-S) and asymmetric (SGA-A) term newborns and describe their subcutaneous fat differences. We assessed perinatal data, maternal characteristics and anthropometric variables (including skinfold thicknesses) in 139 small for gestational age (SGA) term infants, classified as symmetric and asymmetric according to their ponderal index (using the 10(th) percentile as the cut-off criterion). Despite an overall small body size and lower amounts of subcutaneous fat than the reference population, SGA-S term newborns showed a proportionate body fat distribution and SGA-A were thinner and had a lower percentage of central subcutaneous fat than SGA-S. These findings, resulting from intrauterine growth restriction, could be associated with different early and later postnatal outcomes among SGA groups.