Phenotypic characteristics of young men and women depending on the type of constitution and low body weight

Abstract

Asthenic type of constitution and low body weight are traditionally associated with hereditary disorders (dysplasia) of connective tissue (HDCT). Another specific signs of HDCT is dolichostenomelia (skeletal imbalances). The prevalence of signs of dysembryogenesis and skeletal imbalances in young people depending on sex, type of constitution and body mass deficiency have not been previously assessed.
 Materials and methods. We examined 967 practically healthy people aged 18 to 25 years (330 boys and 637 girls) and 119 boys with a diagnosis of body weight deficiency by help general examination, phenotypic and anthropometric examinations.
 Results. Most bone signs of dysembryogenesis significantly often detected in young men: keel-shaped chest deformity (4% vs 1%, p 0.01) and funnel chest deformity (19% vs 9%, p 0.01) deformations of thorax, high palate (39% vs 28%, p 0.01), the growth of teeth (36% vs 19%, p 0.01) and dolichostenomelia. Girls are characterized by a high frequency of joint hypermobility (50% vs 24%) and atrophic striae (30% vs 14%, p 0.01). The bone signs (symptoms of arachnodactyly and chest deformities) detected more often in people with body weight deficiency, and the skin signs and joint hypermobility revealed more often in young people with normotrophy. Comparison of the frequency of signs of dysembryogenesis and skeletal imbalances in groups with asthenic and normal constitution did not reveal differences. All of external signs were found with equal frequency in individuals with different types of physique.
 Conclusions. Body weight deficiency in young men is closely related to bone signs of dysembryogenesis, while the asthenic type of constitution is not a reliable marker of connective tissue defect.