Premium
Assessment of body composition in children with cerebral palsy: a cross‐sectional study in N orway
Author(s) -
Finbråten AneKristine,
Martins Catia,
Andersen Guro Lillemoen,
Skranes Jon,
Brannsether Bente,
Júlíusson Pétur Benedikt,
Syversen Unni,
Stevenson Richard D,
Vik Torstein
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.12752
Subject(s) - gross motor function classification system , cerebral palsy , medicine , lean body mass , body mass index , body fat percentage , fat mass , population , dual energy x ray absorptiometry , body weight , physical therapy , zoology , pediatrics , biology , environmental health , bone mineral , osteoporosis
Aim The assessment of growth and body composition is challenging in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study was to compare clinical assessments of body composition with measurements obtained using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in this population. Method Knee height, weight, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (SFT) were measured in 47 children with CP (age range 8–18y; 18 females, 29 males). Height was estimated from knee height, and used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Using SFT measurements, body fat percentage was calculated by standard (‘Slaughter’) and CP‐modified (‘Gurka’) equations and compared with results obtained using DXA. Results Children with severe gross motor function impairments (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level III or IV) exhibited stunted growth and had higher fat percentages and lower lean body mass than children classified in GMFCS level I or II. In 10 children classified as ‘thin’ according to their BMI (five of whom were assigned thinness grade of 2 or lower), percentage of body fat, as determined by DXA, was normal or high. The Slaughter equations significantly underestimated body fat percentages, whereas the precision of the CP‐modified Gurka equations was excellent. Interpretation In this study, children with CP and severe motor impairments displayed stunted growth, but were not undernourished. Relying solely upon BMIs may be misleading in children with CP. Therefore, clinicians should be encouraged to measure SFT and to calculate body fat percentages using the CP‐modified version of the Slaughter equation.