Reduced SMM has been identified in children after liver transplantation (LTx), but no information related to muscle strength/physical performance or lifestyle factors contributing to sarcopenia is available.

A new study published in Liver Transplantation hypothesized that sarcopenia, as determined by measures of skeletal muscle mass (SMM), muscle strength and physical performance is highly prevalent in post-LTx children and related to poor diet quality and physical inactivity.

This was a cross-sectional study in 22 post-LTx children and 47 age-matched healthy controls between ages of 6-18 years, examining the body composition, measures of muscle strength, physical performance, diet and physical activity. Low muscle strength/physical performance and SMM were defined by values 2 standard deviation below mean values for age-and-gender matched controls.

The results revealed that sarcopenia occurred in 36% of LTx children. LTx children had significantly lower scores for muscle strength (sit-to-stand, push-up) and physical performance (stair climb test) than controls. Deficits in physical performance in children with sarcopenia were predominantly revealed by longer stair climbing times, with no differences in other muscle tests. Meanwhile, low SMM, muscle strength and physical performance were associated with lower amount of time spent in fairly and very active physical activity. However, no associations with the diet quality could be established.

In inference, it was stated that sarcopenia is highly prevalent in children after LTx and is related to lower moderate and vigorous physical activity. Development of effective rehabilitation strategies to treat sarcopenia are needed in post-LTx children.

Source: Liver Transplantation. 2020 Jan 22. doi: 10.1002/lt.25720.