Body Composition and Chest Expansion of Type II and III Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients

spinal muscular atrophy patients present muscle weakness, orthopedic problems, nutritional complications and respiratory impairment. Lean mass and fat mass modifications are also expected in this population. Objective: to verify the body composition and chest expansion of type II and III spinal muscular atrophy patients. Methods: fourteen individuals were evaluated: seven patients in Group I of 9 (7-12) years of age, weighing 29.7 (23.5-60.0) kg; and seven children without the disease in Group II of 9 (9-12) years, weighing 31.0 (27.8-54.1) kg. Patients’ monofrequency bioelectrical impedance was used for analyze body composition. Chest, hip and abdominal girths were measured by a flexible steel tape. The SPSS program was used to statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Results: patients presented higher impedance: 1416.9 (850.5-1559.1) vs 788.0 (683.6-853.8), P < 0.05; and fat percentage: 31.2 (23.9-46.6) vs 19.1 (14.9-27.0)%, P < 0.05. The difference between forced inspiration and forced expiration thorax girth was smaller for patients when comparing to Group II: 3.0 (0.8-4.4) vs. 5.0 (3.9-6.5) cm, P<0.05. Conclusions: patients with spinal muscular atrophy presented higher adiposity and lower chest expansion.