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Association between serum copper concentration and body composition in children with spinal muscular atrophy: a

Qi Long1, Yijie Feng2, Yicheng Yu2

  • 1Department of Clinical Nutrition, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China.

Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|January 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Serum copper levels correlate with body composition in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Higher copper is linked to more fat mass and a higher fat-muscle ratio, but less muscle mass in SMA patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

  • Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder affecting motor neurons.
  • Body composition changes, including altered fat and muscle mass, are observed in SMA patients.
  • The specific role of serum copper in modulating body composition in SMA is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum copper concentration and body composition metrics in pediatric patients with SMA.
  • To explore potential metabolic dysregulation related to copper levels in SMA.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 87 children with SMA at a pediatric medical center in China.
  • Measurements included anthropometry, serum copper, magnesium, zinc, and iron levels.
  • Body composition was assessed comprehensively, and multivariate analysis was used to determine correlations.

Main Results:

  • A positive correlation was found between serum copper concentration and fat mass percentage (β = 0.50, p = 0.025).
  • Serum copper was positively associated with the fat-muscle ratio (β = 0.02, p = 0.009).
  • A negative correlation was observed between serum copper concentration and muscle mass percentage (β = -0.70, p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Serum copper concentration is correlated with body composition in children with SMA.
  • These findings suggest copper's role in metabolic dysregulation within SMA.
  • Further research may inform interventions targeting metabolic balance in SMA patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
anthropometric variablesbody compositionpediatric patientsserum copperspinal muscular atrophy

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