Growth and Body Composition Analysis in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the growth and body composition of younger children with cerebral palsy, using anthropometric measures and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We also looked into the relative strength and consistency between different measurements in analyzing body composition. Thirty-nine patients, aged 3 to 13, with an established diagnosis of cerebral palsy, and age- and sex-matched control subjects, were recruited for this study. Distribution of height-by-age and weight-by-age percentiles differed significantly between the study and the control groups, whereby the subjects of cerebral palsy grew shorter and lighter than normal subjects. The body fat percentage was statistically higher and the lean body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total body water were statistically lower in the study group as compared to the normal subjects. There was favorable agreement between BMI, weight-for-length index and percent body fat as measured by BIA, although only the last measurement differed statistically between the two groups. Gross motor function and self-care capability correlated significantly with height-and weight-by-age percentiles, but not with the body fat percentage in the study group. BIA was proved to be a simple and sensitive method to estimate body composition and applicable for young children with cerebral palsy.