Sarcopenic obesity in children with cerebral palsy

Children with cerebral palsy have a number of risk factors for the development of sarcopenic obesity: low motor activity, limited joint mobility, eating disorders, deficiency of actual nutrition, dysphagia, taking medications.

The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency and structure of sarcopenic obesity depending on the type of physical development, gender, form and class of motor activity in children with cerebral palsy

Materials and methods. Anthropometric indicators (body weight, height, body mass index), body component composition were studied in 132 children with spastic forms of cerebral palsy aged 4–17 years with the level of motor disorders GMFCS I–V. Sarcopenic obesity was detected with an increase in the MFR — muscle-to-fat ratio index, calculated as the ratio of the content of musculoskeletal mass to fat mass.

Results. According to the level of physical development, underweight prevailed in 50% of children, and overweight and obesity were observed in 11% of patients. Sarcopenic obesity was detected in 15.9% of children with cerebral palsy, its frequency did not significantly differ in children depending on gender, class of motor activity and form. Sarcopenic obesity was more often found in overweight and obese children than in children with normal physical development and protein-energy deficiency (p<0,001).

Conclusions: The conducted study shows the need to use bioimpedance analysis and calculation of the MFR indicator in assessing the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy for the timely diagnosis of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity and the appointment of correction.

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