Abstract

SOUSA, Raíssa Christina Mendes de et al. Body composition and chest expansion of type II and III spinal muscular atrophy patients. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2013, vol.23, n.2, pp. 164-169. ISSN 0104-1282.

INTRODUCTION: 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. METHOD: 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.

Keywords : neuromuscular diseases; electric impedance; body fat distribution; anthropometry.

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