Adipose tissue is a complex endocrine organ and its quantity and distribution are markers of morbidity risk. The third trimester of human development is a period of rapid adipose tissue deposition. Preterm infants are subject to periods of suboptimal nutrition and chronic illness and may be at risk of altered adiposity. Using the technique of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to study adipose tissue for the first time in preterm infants, this work describes the differences between preterm infants at term age equivalent and healthy term born infants and explores the possible underlying reasons for the differences.
