Variability of abdominal adipose tissue measurements using computed tomography in prepubertal girls

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the variability of measuring regional adipose tissue area using abdominal computed tomography (CT) in normal-weight, prepubertal girls.

DESIGN: Measurements of abdominal CT were performed twice, 6 weeks apart.

SUBJECTS: Sixty-one normal-weight, prepubertal girls (age: 4.8–10.3 y, mean (±s.d.) BMI: 16.7±1.5 kg/m²).

MEASUREMENTS: Abdominal adipose tissue by CT at baseline and 6 weeks later. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between visits 1 and 2 with regard to the children’s average abdominal CT derived intraabdominal adipose tissue (21.64 cm² vs 23.74 cm²) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (62.49 cm² vs 65.28 cm²). The Pearson coefficient of correlation (r), P-value, total coefficient of variation (CV) and standard error of the difference (SE_Δ) for intra-individual measurements between visits 1 and 2 by abdominal CT were: total abdominal adipose tissue, r=0.94, P<0.0001, CV=12.34%, SE_Δ 2.25 cm²; subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, r=0.96, P<0.0001, CV=10.67%, SE_Δ=1.57 cm²; and intraabdominal adipose tissue, r=0.67, P<0.0001, CV=21.5%, SE_Δ=1.11 cm². The mean ratios of intraabdominal to subcutaneous adipose tissue on visits 1 and 2 were 0.42±0.2 and 0.44±0.24, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Regional adipose tissue area measurements using abdominal CT were reliable in healthy, normal-weight, prepubertal girls.