The measurement of body composition in children with spina bifida: Feasibility and preliminary findings.
To assess the feasibility of obtaining and comparing various methods of height and body composition (BC) measurements in children with spina bifida (SB).



Fifteen children (7M/8F) with SB (4-18 years old) underwent weight, four height measurements (arm span, wall-mounted stadiometer, segmental and recumbent length) and five BC measurements: (BMI; BodPod®; DEXA; Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis; and skinfold). Data collectors, parents, and study participants evaluated procedures. The four heights as paired with the BC measurements were compared to the gold standard DEXA measurements.



Procedures were successfully completed in 14 of 15 children. Skinfolds and segmental length had a midlevel ranking of comfort. While no measures substituted for the DEXA scan, preliminary findings suggest that an algorithm may estimate BC in this high-risk population. Currently, arm span used within BodPod® measurements provided the closest agreement with the DEXA scan.



Study protocol was feasible and provided necessary information, including recommended modifications, for successful implementation of the planned subsequent study.
College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA.|Department of Nursing Research, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA.|Self-Management Science Center, College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Michele
M
Polfuss
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Quantitative Health Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Pippa
P
Simpson
Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Stacy
S
Stolzman
College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Victoria
V
Moerchen
Department of Nursing Research, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA.
Susan
S
Hovis
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Quantitative Health Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Liyun
L
Zhang
Department of Nursing Research, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA.
Heidi
H
Miranda
College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA.|Department of Nursing Research, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA.|Self-Management Science Center, College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Kathleen
K
Sawin
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*
BMI; Body composition; anthropometrics; height; myelomeningocele; pediatric; spina bifida