Growth and adiposity patterns in Argentine children with Prader-Willi syndrome without growth hormone treatment or individualised very low energy diets.

Abstract

Background: Children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) show distinctive patterns of growth and body composition. Although growth hormone (GH) therapy is widely used, many patients continue to be monitored without treatment, making anthropometric data from untreated populations valuable for clinical follow-up. We previously developed Argentine references for height and body segments in GH-untreated children with PWS.

Aim: To extend that work by characterising patterns of adiposity using weight, body mass index (BMI), and skinfold thickness measurements in children with PWS who had not received GH therapy or individualised very low energy diets.

Subjects and methods: Anthropometric data were obtained from clinically and genetically confirmed patients followed at a tertiary paediatric hospital. Measurements included weight, BMI, and triceps, bicipital, suprailiac, and subscapular skinfolds. Age and sex specific curves were generated using the LMS method. A total of 167 children were included (82 males, 85 females) with a total of 1,119 weight, 1,009 BMI, 815 triceps skinfold, 643 biceps skinfold and 615 suprailiac skinfold measurements.

Results: Weight and BMI centiles showed an early upward shift after the second year of life, with the greatest divergence occurring in early childhood. Skinfold thicknesses were consistently elevated across ages, including in infants and young children, indicating early alterations in body composition.

Conclusion: Together with previously published Argentine linear growth references, these findings provide a more comprehensive framework for evaluating growth and body composition, particularly adiposity trajectories in children with PWS.