1979•BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & GynaecologyRequires access

CHANGES IN FAT, FAT‐FREE MASS AND BODY WATER IN HUMAN NORMAL PREGNANCY

N. G. J. Pipe, T Smith, David Halliday, C. J. Edmonds, Christopher Williams, T. M. Coltart

Abstract

Measurements of body weight, total body water and total body potassium (40K) were made serially on three occasions during pregnancy and once post partum in 27 normal pregnant women. Skinfold thickness and fat cell diameter were also measured. A model of body composition was formulated to permit the estimation of changes in fat, lean tissue and water content of the maternal body. Total maternal body fat increased during pregnancy, reaching a peak towards the end of the second trimester before diminishing. Serial measurements of fat cell diameter showed poor correlation, whilst total body fat calculated from skinfold thickness correlated well with our estimated values for total body fat in pregnancy.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 164 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

Key concepts: Body water, Pregnancy, Body adiposity index, Classification of obesity, Post partum, Lean body mass, Endocrinology, Body weight