Increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in children with X-linked hypophosphatemia

Abstract

Background/aim: X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare disease characterized by low phosphate levels. Scientific evidence points to a link between hypophosphatemia and obesity in general population. The aim of our longitudinal observational study was to investigate the prevalence of obesity and associated factors in a large cohort of children with XLH.

Patients/methods: We studied 172 XLH-children 5-20 years of age (113 girls/59 boys). Anthropometric parameters (weight, height, and BMI) were collected at birth and during follow-up at mean ages of 5.3, 8.2, 11.3, and 15.9 years (groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). In each group, subjects were classified based on International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) cut off values of BMI for age and sex as overweight or obese (IOTF 25-30 or ≥30 kg/m2, respectively).

Results: In each age-group, almost 1/3 of XLH-patients were classified as overweight or obese (29.4, 28.7, 27.5, and 36.7% in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Children without a XLH-family history had higher BMI-IOTF at every point of follow-up, compared to those with positive XLH-family history. Similarly, higher BMI-IOTF was significantly associated with treatment duration (23.3 ± 4.4 vs 23.8 ± 3.8 vs 25.2 ± 4.5 kg/m2, for subjects with treatment duration of <5, 5-10 and >10 years, respectively, P for trend = 0.025). Multiple regression analysis confirmed an association of treatment duration and lack of XLH-family history with higher BMI-IOTF.

Conclusion: One out of three of XLH-children have phenotypically unfavourable metabolic profile expressed as increased prevalence of overweight or obesity in comparison to general population. Both the lack of XLH family history and the duration of treatment increase the risk of higher BMI-IOTF. BMI should be carefully monitored in children, and later in adults, with XLH.

Keywords: X-linked hypophosphatemia; obesity; overweight; phosphorus; rickets.

Figure 1

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the different age-groups (A) of children affected by X-linked hypophosphatemia, further divided by sex (B).

Figure 2

Progression of postnatal BMI-SDS divided by sex (A) and BMI-IOTF (B) in children affected by X-linked hypophosphatemia. BMI-IOTF, Body Mass Index – International Obesity Task Force.

Figure 3

Progression of postnatal BMI-IOTF according to XLH-family history in children affected by X-linked hypophosphatemia. BMI-IOTF, Body Mass Index – International Obesity Task Force; XLH, X-linked hypophosphatemia.

Figure 4

Progression of postnatal BMI-IOTF (A) and the prevalence of overweight and obesity (B) according to the duration of treatment with phosphorus supplements in children affected by X-linked hypophosphatemia. BMI-IOTF, Body Mass Index – International Obesity Task Force.