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

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, walk- ing ability and sport activity in myelomeningo- cele 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 <0.01). Fat mass was greater than expected but without significantly differences between walking group (mean 26%) and wheel-chair users (25%). Patients practised sport activity had a better bone min- eral density and body fat compared with other patients with the same disability. Patients with myelomeningocele have de- creased bone mineral density and are at high- er risk of pathologic bone fractures. All sub- jects 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 impor- tant factors in promoting bone and body growth, to reduce the risk of obesity and of pathological fractures.