title: Impairment in anthropometric parameters and body composition in females with classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical measurements and body composition of female patients with the classic form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Twenty-eight girls with CAH were classified according to both hormonal control (well or not well controlled) and the clinical form of the disease (simple virilizing or salt-wasting). In the control group, 112 healthy individuals were included, divided into two subgroups (male and female). Both patients and controls were subdivided by age into three groups according to pubertal stage: < or =10 years (prepubertal), 11-15 years (pubertal), and > or =15 years (postpubertal). Anthropometrical evaluations and bioelectrical impedance were used to obtain the physical measurement and body composition data. The patients with the simple virilizing form presented higher values for BMI, waist, arm fat area, and fat mass percentage. The not well controlled group presented shorter leg length. Values obtained for BMI as well as for arm fat area, brachial circumference, waist, hip, bi-iliac diameter and fat mass percentage were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls, whereas leg length, hand size and the percentages of water and lean mass were lower. Alterations in body composition were observed in all age groups, mainly by increase of fat mass with age. After puberty, impairments in limb measurements (leg, hand and foot) were more evident. Patients with CAH presented differences in anthropometric parameters but mainly in body composition. Hence, more comprehensive and careful anthropometric evaluation during monitoring of patients with CAH is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ezequiel Moreira
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Sofia Helena Valente
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: de Lemos-Marini
authors.forename: Maricilda Palandi
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: de Mello
authors.forename: Maria Tereza Matias
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.forename: Lilia Freire Rodrigues
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: D'Souza-Li
authors.forename: Alexandre Duarte
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Baldin
authors.forename: Wellington Roberto Gomes
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Edson Santos
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Farias
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guerra-Junior
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000235:genetics*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013255:Steroid 21-Hydroxylase / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013255:Steroid 21-Hydroxylase