Muscle Mass as a Biomarker for Health Status and Function in Pediatric Individuals with Neuromuscular Disabilities: A Systematic Review

Children, 2024 · DOI: 10.3390/children11070815 · Published: July 3, 2024

Simple Explanation

This review examines the connection between muscle mass and health in children with neuromuscular disorders. The review included 32 studies with over 10,000 children, looking at how muscle mass relates to things like movement, bone health, and heart function. The findings suggest that muscle mass is indeed linked to important health outcomes, making it a potential target for treatments to improve these outcomes in affected children.

Study Duration

1996 to 2023

Participants

10,129 unique individuals

Evidence Level

Systematic Review

Key Findings

1
There is a recognized relationship between muscle mass and important health outcomes in children.
2
Lower muscle mass in children with cerebral palsy correlates with lower functional levels as measured by GMFCS scores.
3
Lean body mass is a predictor of bone mineral content in pediatric populations.

Research Summary

This systematic review investigates the relationship between muscle mass and health outcomes in children with neuromuscular disorders. The review included 32 studies, demonstrating relationships between muscle mass and outcomes like functional ability, bone health, and cardiometabolic risk. The results support targeting muscle mass as a means to optimize desired health outcomes in children.

Practical Implications

Clinical Target

Clinically targeting an increase in MM through treatment interventions could result in functional and metabolic optimization in children with neuromuscular pathology.

MM as Indicator

Measuring and monitoring MM in children with conditions affecting MM can be indicative of potential comorbidities.

Quantify Effects

Muscle mass can be used to quantify the effects of therapeutic interventions.

Study Limitations

1
Limited research on muscle mass and health outcomes in pediatric populations with neuromuscular pathologies.
2
Inclusion of papers published only in English may limit the generalizability of the findings.
3
Potential for publication bias, as many papers report mostly positive findings.

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