[The physical development of infants and young children. 6. Skinfold thickness--a longitudinal study].

As a further result of a longitudinal study (conducted from 1979-1982) the somatic development figures for the skinfold thickness of 84 male and 91 female children from birth up to three years are presented. The Lange caliper was used to perform the measurements according to the recommendations of the International Biological Programme (8 sites of measurement on the right side of the body). The results for the development of skinfold thickness are similar to those of the Dortmund Study (1974), but in part quite different compared with earlier longitudinal studies (1956): our own investigations show a greater skinfold thickness during the first three months of life and thereafter lower figures up to the age of 18 months. The results are recommended by the authors as reference figures for the G.D.R.