The evolution of body posture in the sagittal plane in the sensitive growth period of children and adolescents undergoing individual scoliosis therapy: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: The shape of the spine in the sagittal plane undergoes evolution, which occurs specifically in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). The aim of the study was to verify the variability of body features and indicators in relation to the features and parameters of body posture in children and adolescents with IS. Materials and Methods: 61 measurements of children and adolescents (three age groups) with IS were collected. Body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, scoliosis major curve angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, spine length, and pelvic tilt were measured. BMI and WHtR were calculated. Results: The progression of characteristics and indices of body physique and changes in body proportions with age significantly affects the flattening of lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt. At the same time, an inverse relationship between lumbar lordosis angle and scoliosis major curve in children and adolescents was found. There was a weak correlation of kyphosis with body characteristics and indices. Conclusions: Among children and adolescents with adolescent IS, the parameters of the pelvis and lumbar lordosis angle are independent of the thoracic kyphosis angle, and therefore, thoracic kyphosis can be described as a structural parameter, characteristic of scoliotic deformity.