ASSESSMENT OF SUBCUTANEOUS FAT USING ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE ULLRICH-TURNER SYNDROME

Subcutaneous fat was measured using an ultrasonic method (SF-US) in gi rls with Ullrich-Turner syndrome (UTS) and in height and weight-matche d controls. The method is not influenced by changes in cutaneous compr essibility, which is frequently abnormal in UTS especially at a younge r age. SF-US in the arms was significantly less in UTS patients (ulnar SF-US: P < 0.05; triceps SF-US: P < 0.005) than in the control girls. Results in suprailiac SF-US measurement was also similar (P < 0.05). Though the mean SF-US in the subscapular region was less in UTS patien ts than the control girls, there was no statistically significant diff erence. It is demonstrated that subcutaneous fat in UTS patients is le ss in their arms than in girls without UTS and that trunkal fatness is not increased but rather decreased in the UTS. The ratio of lean body mass to weight seems higher in UTS patients than in girls with simila r weight and height.