Kürşat Bora ÇARMAN, Arife Derda YÜCEL ŞEN, Gonca KILIÇ YILDIRIM, Özlem UĞUR, Coşkun YARAR, Emrah ATAY
The Journal of Pediatric Research - 2026;13(2):107-115
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, feeding features, and nutritional status of children diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) using multiple anthropometric indicators. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 24 children (9 males, 15 females) with SMA, aged 5-192 months, in a tertiary care hospital in Türkiye. Clinical features, feeding methods, and anthropometric parameters including weight, height, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were recorded. Nutritional status was assessed using the Gomez and the Waterlow classifications, alongside MUAC z-scores based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. Results: The cohort included 11 patients with SMA Type 1, 9 with Type 2, and 4 with Type 3. More than half (54.2%) were able to self-feed, while 33% were fed via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Feeding lasted longer than 15 minutes in 62.5% of cases. According to MUAC measurements, 58.3% of the patients were malnourished. Gomez classification identified 58.3% of the children as malnourished, and Waterlow classification indicated chronic malnutrition in 54.2%. A higher proportion of malnutrition was observed in those patients with SMA Type 1. MUAC measurements showed results comparable to traditional malnutrition classifications and emerged as a practical and reliable tool for nutritional assessment in SMA. Conclusion: Malnutrition is highly prevalent among children with SMA, particularly in Type 1 patients. Comprehensive nutritional monitoring using MUAC alongside conventional anthropometric indices may improve the accuracy of malnutrition detection. A multidisciplinary approach, including early swallowing evaluations and timely nutritional interventions, is essential in order to optimize care and growth outcomes in this vulnerable population.
