Body Composition in Children And Adolescents With Down Syndrome: Sex Differences and Associated Clinical Comorbidities

Abstract

Background: Children with Down syndrome (DS) have specific body composition patterns, characterized by differences in adiposity and muscle mass. Using anthropometric measurements cannot provide accurate information about these differences. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) gives a practical, non-invasive method for estimation of body composition; but, its accuracy depends on the used device, prediction equations, and characteristics of the population assessed [1,2].

Aim: we aim to describe body composition measurements using bioimpedance analysis in children and adolescents with DS and to clarify differences in sex, congenital heart disease, and hypothyroidism.

Subjects and Methods: This study included 206 children and adolescents with DS who had at least one recorded BIA measurment. Total fat mass, total body fat percentage, trunk fat mass and trunk fat percentage, are included in body composition parameters assessment. Muscle mass was registered as a predicted value obtained from the BIA assessment. Body composition measurements were examined and analyzed based on sex, cardiac condition, and hypothyroidism status

Results: The mean age at BIA assessment was 10.5 ± 3.3 years. The mean total fat mass was 8.2 ± 7.1 kg, while the mean total body fat percentage was 19.5 ± 8.0%. Mean trunk fat mass and trunk fat percentage were 3.1 ± 3.1 kg and 13.5 ± 7.9%, respectively. Mean predicted muscle mass was 16.0 ± 6.0 kg. Females had a higher mean total body fat percentage than males (21.5 ± 8.0% versus 18.2 ± 7.8%), whereas males had a higher mean predicted muscle mass (16.5 ± 6.3 versus 15.3 ± 5.6 kg). Children with cardiac disease had lower mean absolute fat mass and predicted muscle mass than those without cardiac disease, while mean total body fat percentages were similar. Body composition measurements were broadly similar between children with and without hypothyroidism.

Conclusion: The results show descriptive differences in body composition measurements through BIA according to sex and cardiac condition in children and adolescents with DS. These results indicate standardised measurement protocols for better assessment and accurate evaluation of body composition.