Bone mineral density and body composition in a myelomeningocele children population: effects of walking ability and sport activity

E. Ausili*, B. Focarelli*, F. Tabacco*, G. Fortunelli*, P. Caradonna§, L. Massimi°, M. Sigismondi*, E. Salvaggio*, C. Rendeli*

*Department of Paediatrics; Department of Internal Medicine; and °Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome (Italy)

---

• Pediatrics

Abstract. – Myelomeningocele causes serious locomotor disability, osteoporosis and pathologic fractures. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body composition, bone mineral density, walking ability and sport activity in myelomeningocele children.
60 patients aged between 5 and 14 yrs with myelomeningocele (22 ambulatory and 38 non-ambulatory), were studied. Fat mass and fat-free-mass were calculated by anthropometry. The bone mineral density at lumbar and femoral neck were evaluated.
Bone mineral density at the lumbar and femoral neck was lower than in the normal population. In the non-ambulaty group, bone mineral density was ~1 SD lower than in the ambulatory one (p Patients with myelomeningocele have decreased bone mineral density and are at higher risk of pathologic bone fractures. All subjects showed an excess of fat as percentage of body weight and are shorter than normal children. The measurement of bone mineral density may help to identify those patients at greatest risk of suffering of multiple fractures. Walk ability and sport activity, associated with the development of muscle mass, are important factors in promoting bone and body growth, to reduce the risk of obesity and of pathological fractures

Corresponding Author: Emanuele Ausili MD; e-mail: emanuele.ausili@tin.it

Free PDF Download