Infrared thermography in the assessment of brown and white adipose tissue in children with different nutritional states

IF 3 4区医学 Q1 PEDIATRICS

Jornal de pediatria Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-10 DOI:10.1016/j.jped.2025.101498

Gisele Bailich , Paulo Roberto Santos Lopes , Danubia da Cunha de Sá-Caputo , Alessandro Sartório , Gabriela Peixe , Mario Bernardo Filho , André Everton de Freitas , Anelise Sonza

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue using Infrared Thermography (IRT) in children with different nutritional statuses and correlate findings with anthropometric variables.

Methods

This cross-sectional observational study assessed body composition via bioelectrical impedance (BIA), skin temperature (supraclavicular and abdominal) through IRT, and anthropometric variables such as neck (NC), waist (WC), and hip (HC) circumferences. Calculations included waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and conicity index (CI). Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS 20.0, with normality checked by the Shapiro-Wilk and homogeneity by Levene tests. Groups (eutrophic, overweight, obese) were compared using Pearson's Chi-square for categorical variables, Kruskal-Wallis, and ANOVA tests for quantitative data. Correlations were analyzed using Spearman's method. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

Of 160 participants, 116 children were analyzed (eutrophic: N = 58; overweight: N = 26; obese: N = 32). Significant differences were noted between the eutrophic and obese groups. Supraclavicular temperature negatively correlated with BIA variables (total body water, fat-free mass, body fat percentage).

Conclusions

IRT demonstrated inverse correlations between BAT temperature and BMI, NC, WC, and HC, underscoring its potential in obesity risk analysis. IRT also offers quantitative assessments of BAT activity and may estimate body fat percentages, suggesting its relevance for monitoring adipose tissue function and metabolic effects of physical exercise.

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红外热成像在评估不同营养状态儿童棕色和白色脂肪组织中的作用。

目的：利用红外热像仪（IRT）评价不同营养状况儿童的棕色脂肪组织（BAT）和白色脂肪组织，并与人体测量变量进行相关性分析。方法：本横断面观察性研究通过生物电阻抗（BIA）、IRT皮肤温度（锁骨上和腹部）和人体测量变量（如颈部（NC）、腰部（WC）和臀部（HC）周长）评估身体组成。计算包括腰臀比（WHR）和锥度指数（CI）。采用SPSS 20.0进行统计学分析，采用Shapiro-Wilk检验正态性，采用Levene检验齐性。各组（富营养化、超重、肥胖）的分类变量采用Pearson's卡方，定量数据采用Kruskal-Wallis检验，方差分析（ANOVA）检验。使用Spearman方法分析相关性。显著性水平设为p≤0.05。结果：在160名参与者中，分析了116名儿童（富营养化：N = 58；超重：N = 26；肥胖：N = 32）。富营养化组和肥胖组之间存在显著差异。锁骨上温度与BIA变量（全身水分、无脂质量、体脂率）呈负相关。结论：IRT显示BAT温度与BMI、NC、WC和HC呈负相关，强调了其在肥胖风险分析中的潜力。IRT还提供了BAT活性的定量评估，并可能估计体脂百分比，这表明它与监测脂肪组织功能和体育锻炼的代谢影响有关。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Jornal de pediatria 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

3.00%

发文量

审稿时长

43 days

期刊介绍： Jornal de Pediatria is a bimonthly publication of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria, SBP). It has been published without interruption since 1934. Jornal de Pediatria publishes original articles and review articles covering various areas in the field of pediatrics. By publishing relevant scientific contributions, Jornal de Pediatria aims at improving the standards of pediatrics and of the healthcare provided for children and adolescents in general, as well to foster debate about health.