Body weight and basal metabolic rate in childhood narcolepsy: a longitudinal study.
The aims of this study were to document the trajectory of weight gain and body mass index (BMI) in children with type 1 narcolepsy, and to analyze basal metabolic rate (BMR).



A total of 65 Chinese children with type 1 narcolepsy with a disease duration ≤12 months were included. In addition, 79 healthy age-matched students were enrolled as controls. Height and body weight were measured every six months for up to 36 months to calculate BMI growth. BMR was measured using COSMED K4b2 indirect calorimetry in 34 patients and 30 healthy controls at six months. At the end of 36 months, the BMR was compared among 18 patients and 16 healthy controls.



The children with type 1 narcolepsy showed higher BMIs at follow-up assessments. At the end of the study, 38.46% of the patients were obese and an additional 26.15% were overweight. The patients' BMI growth at six, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months of follow-up was significantly higher, but not at month 36. The patients' basal energy expenditure was significantly lower than that of the controls at six months but not at 36 months.



BMI increased rapidly in children with type 1 narcolepsy after disease onset, but BMI growth decreased gradually with prolonged disease. Decreased BMR is an important cause underlying rapid weight gain. The gradual restoration of BMI growth and BMR in narcolepsy emphasizes the importance of compensatory metabolic mechanisms in this disease.
Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Zongwen
Z
Wang
Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: huijuan.w@163.com.
Huijuan
H
Wu
Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
William S
WS
Stone
Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Jianhua
J
Zhuang
School of Sports and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
Linli
L
Qiu
Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Xing
X
Xu
Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Yan
Y
Wang
Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Zhengqing
Z
Zhao
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Beijing University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
Fang
F
Han
Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: zhaozx@medmail.com.cn.
Zhongxin
Z
Zhao
D000293:Adolescent; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology
Basal metabolic rate; Body mass index; Excessive weight gain; Narcolepsy