Do antispasmodics affect the body composition and basal metabolic rate in patients with cerebral palsy?

Abstract

The aim is to describe differences in the basal metabolic rate, anthropometric and body composition measurements between cerebral palsy (CP) patients treated and not treated with antispasmodic agents. Children diagnosed with CP and a healthy control group were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: patients currently treated with antispasmodics (group 1) and patients without antispasmodic treatment (group 2). There were 34 children with CP, mean age 7.57±3.62 years. Although weight and height measurements were signifi cantly reduced in patient groups compared to the healthy control group, there was no signifi cant diff erence between group 1 and group 2. Body mass index, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness, arm circumference, and waist/hip ratio were not statistically diff erent between group 1 and group 2. Although there was signifi cant reduction in lean mass, dry mass, body cell mass, basal metabolic rate and fat free mass index in patient groups as compared to control group, there was no signifi cant diff erence between group 1 and group 2 according to fat percentage, fat mass, total body water, body fat mass index, lean mass, dry mass, body cell mass, basal metabolic rate, fat free mass index, and basal metabolic rate/body weight. In conclusion, additional studies are needed to detect the exact eff ect of antispasmodic drugs on body composition in CP.