Skinfold Measurements Enhance Nutrition Assessments and Care Planning for Children With Developmental Delays and Disabilities

Abstract

Children with developmental delays or disabilities (DDs) may differ from typically developing children in body composition. Alterations in muscle tone, delayed motor development, and impaired mobility may affect the development of lean muscle tissue in children with developmental challenges. Studies show that children with diverse developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy (CP), spina bifida, Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), and premature birth have significant alterations in lean muscle mass, which may affect body weight and body mass index. Because lean muscle mass is a major determinant of resting energy expenditure and makes up a significant portion of body weight, the use of body composition measurements such as tricep skinfolds and subscapular skinfolds can clarify assessments of nutritional status, which in turn can facilitate goal setting and care planning for children with DDs. This article will review research on body composition in children with CP, spina bifida, PWS, and prematurity and will present 2 case studies to illustrate how using skinfold measurements in clinical practice can clarify nutritional diagnosis and care planning. © 2011, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.