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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Longitudinal Anthropometry and Body Composition in Children With SARS-CoV-2-Associated Multisystem Inflammatory
Elisabetta Di Profio1, Alessandro Leone2, Sara Vizzuso1
1From the Pediatric Department, "Vittore Buzzi" Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) can alter body composition, leading to increased fat mass and decreased fat-free mass for up to six months post-infection. This highlights potential long-term impacts on pediatric health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) negatively impacts body composition in adults and children.
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a serious complication of COVID-19 requiring thorough investigation of its long-term effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally evaluate changes in body composition among children diagnosed with MIS-C.
- To compare body composition changes in MIS-C patients with a control group.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 40 pediatric patients (aged 2-18) with MIS-C.
- Repeated physical examinations and anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI z-score, circumferences, skinfolds) during hospitalization and follow-up (10, 30, 90, 180 days post-discharge).
- Calculation of fat mass and fat-free mass using predictive equations; comparison with a pediatric nutritional outpatient clinic control group.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in BMI z-score, arm circumference z-score, arm muscular area z-score, and arm fat area z-score during hospitalization.
- Fat Mass Index (FMI) significantly increased over time, peaking at 30 days post-discharge.
- Fat-free mass index decreased during hospitalization.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to assess pediatric MIS-C body composition longitudinally up to six months.
- Increased FMI and fat deposit parameters were observed six months after the acute event.
- Sedentary lifestyles post-MIS-C may contribute to adipose tissue accumulation in children.
Objectives:
Acute coronavirus disease 2019 infection has been shown to negatively affect body composition among adult and malnourished or obesity children. Our aim is to longitudinally evaluate body composition in children affected by the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C).
Methods:
In this cohort study, we recruited 40 patients affected by MIS-C, aged 2-18 years old, who were admitted in our clinic between December 2020 and February 2021. Physical examination for each participant included weight, height, body mass index (BMI) z score, circumferences, and skinfolds assessment. The same measurements were repeated during outpatient follow-up at 10 (T2), 30 (T3), 90 (T4), and 180 (T5) days after hospital discharge. Fat mass and fat free mass were calculated according to skinfolds predictive equations for children and adolescents. A control group was randomly selected among patients attending a pediatric nutritional outpatient clinic.
Results:
BMI z score significantly decrease between preadmission and hospital discharge. Similarly, arm circumference z score, arm muscular area z score, and arm fat area z score significantly decreased, during hospital stay. Fat mass index (FMI) significantly increased over time, peaking at T3. Fat free mass index decreased during hospitalization.
Conclusions:
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess body composition in a numerically large pediatric MIS-C population from acute infection to 6 months after triggering event. FMI and anthropometric parameters linked to fat deposits were significantly higher 6 months after acute event. Thus, limiting physical activity and having sedentary lifestyle may lead to an accumulation of adipose tissue even in healthy children who experienced MIS-C and long hospitalization.
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