What this study looked at
Children with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) usually appear unaffected at birth but can develop profound growth impairment as they grow older, and information on growth in Asian children has been limited. This retrospective study analysed height, weight and body mass index in 129 Taiwanese patients with different types of MPS, drawn from eight medical centres over more than two decades.
Key takeaways
- Patients with MPS IVA showed the most significant growth retardation, followed by MPS VI, MPS I, MPS II, and MPS III, which had the mildest growth impairment.
- Height and weight z-scores became increasingly negative with age across all types of MPS.
- Many children under two to five years of age were actually taller and heavier than healthy peers, before their growth slowed markedly in later years.
Why it matters
Understanding the growth curve for each type of MPS may support earlier diagnosis and timely management, which can improve patients' quality of life.
