Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Poor linear growth in CP associated with osteopenia, increased fracture risk, and decreased muscle mass attributed to nutritional factors as well as non-nutritional factors such as those involving the neurologic or endocrine systems has been well described in literature.

Objective: This study assessed the growth of children with CP and other motor disorders attending a Children’s Development Centre for treatment, fed only orally.

Subjects and methods: About 147 children, 84 males (57%), mean decimal age 3.7 years (0.1–5.3) were recruited. Corrected age used if the subject was <2 years old. Weight (Wt), length (L)/height (Ht), head circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), and target height (TH) measured by the same experienced paediatrician using equipment of great accuracy (Wunder electronic scales with seat mode, SECA 210 measuring mat, SECA 202 stadiometer). All data were compared with the national reference growth charts for healthy children.

Results: Mean gestational age was 35.5 weeks (range 27–41), Wt 14.8 (3.8–43.5), L/Ht 92.9 cm (53–153), HC 46.8 cm (33.5–61.1), TH 182 cm (165–194) for males, 168 cm (159–182) for females, BMI 16.1 (11.5–28.6). 63 subjects (43%) were born premature.

Conclusions: Approximately 50% of the children showed short stature and poor growth in all parameters. Feeding dysfunction, inadequate calorie intake, communication difficulties that inhibit requests for food, impaired expression of hunger or food preferences, lack for self-feeding skills are all associated with undernutrition and impaired linear growth. Although the GH axis has not been systematically studied in children with CP, there have been reports suggesting abnormal GH secretion in this population. A better understanding of the causes and mechanisms of growth impairment in CP could lead to its prevention or treatment in some children. The diagnosis of GH deficiency should be considered in all children with CP who are growing slowly.