Impaired aerobic exercise adaptation in children and adolescents with craniopharyngioma is associated with hypothalamic involvement

ObjectiveMany patients treated for craniopharyngioma (CP) complain of a relative incapacity for physical activity. Whether this is due to an objective decrease in adaptation to exercise is unclear. We assessed exercise tolerance in children with surgically treated CP and appropriate pituitary hormone replacement therapy compared with healthy controls and we examined the potential relationships with hypothalamic involvement, GH replacement, and the catecholamine deficiency frequently observed in these subjects.Design and methodsSeventeen subjects (12 males and five females) with CP and 22 healthy controls (14 males and eight females) aged 15.3±2.5 years (7.3–18 years) underwent a standardized cycle ergometer test. Maximum aerobic capacity was expressed as the ratio of VO2maxto fat-free mass (VO2max/FFM), a measure independent of age and fat mass in children.ResultsVO2max/FFM was 20% lower in children with CP compared with controls (Pn=10) had a higher percentage of fat mass (Pn=7) and lower VO2max/FFM (P2max/FFM close to that of controls (P>0.05). GH treatment was associated with a significant positive effect on aerobic capacity (PConclusionsChildren with CP have a decrease in aerobic capacity mainly related to hypothalamic involvement. The hypothalamic factors altering aerobic capacity remain to be determined.