Adolescent Growth Spurt Research Articles

Growth and the pubertal growth spurt in South African adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV infection.

The majority children living with HIV infection now survive into adulthood because of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), but few data exist on their growth during adolescent years. This study investigated growth patterns and evaluated factors associated with suboptimal growth in adolescents with perinatally-acquired HIV infection. This retrospective cohort study included HIV-infected adolescents, aged 13 to 18 years, with at least 5 years of ART follow-up at a large HIV clinic in the Gauteng Province, South Africa. Weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ), height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) and body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z-scores were calculated using World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards. Growth velocity graphs were generated utilising the mean height change calculated at 6-monthly intervals, using all available data after ART initiation, to calculate the annual change. Other collected data included WHO HIV disease staging, CD4%, HIV viral loads (VLs), ART regimens and tuberculosis co-infection. Included were 288 children with a median age of 6.5 years (IQR 4.2;8.6 years) at ART initiation, and 51.7% were male. At baseline the majority of children had severe disease (92% WHO stages 3&4) and were started on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens (79.2%). The median CD4% was 13.5% (IQR 7.9;18.9) and median HIV viral load log 5.0 (IQR 4.4;5.5). Baseline stunting (HAZ <-2) was prevalent (55.9%), with a median HAZ of -2.2 (IQR -3.1;-1.3). The median WAZ was -1.5 (IQR -2.5;-0.8), with 29.2% being underweight-for-age (WAZ <-2). The peak height velocity (PHV) in adolescents with baseline stage 3 disease was higher than for those with stage 4 disease. Being older at ART start (p<0.001) and baseline stunting (p<0.001) were associated with poorer growth, resulting in a lower HAZ at study exit, with boys more significantly affected than girls (p<0.001). Suboptimal growth in adolescents with perinatally-acquired HIV infection is a significant health concern, especially in children who started ART later in terms of age and who had baseline stunting and is more pronounced in boys than in girls.

Fibrous dysplasia; Is aggressive treatment justifiable?

Purpose: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a bone lesion resulting from the displacement of the normal medullary bone, with abnormal fibro-osseous tissue. The aim of the study is to investigate the clinicopathological profile of FD, and the objective is to lay out treatment protocol for this condition. Materials and Methods: 25 patients with 29 lesions including 9 femora (31%), 5 tibia (17%), and 4 humerus (14%), 3 rib, 3 ulna, 3 radius, 3 fibula, and 1 pelvis included for the study. Results: The two children who presented with lesions in the trochanter and later had pathological fracture who subsequently treated by fixation with implants were fine during final follow-up, rest of cases in upper femur graft served the purpose and remained asymptomatic in the final follow-up. Humerus and tibia case treated with fibular grafting during childhood didn't served the purpose as the grafted fibula was replaced by dysplastic bone. In contrast to that fibula is used as a graft gives good result in patients nearing skeletal maturity and also in adult. Lesions that are left alone remained as such except for the increased size during adolescent growth spurt. Conclusion: conservative management (observation alone) is enough in most cases of FD. Peri trochanteric region need surgery and were highly dependent on the patient's age at time of the initial presentation. In patients who were skeletally mature, the result was satisfactory with either fibular graft. In contrast, patients who were skeletally immature, fibular graft gets involved in the disease process and do not serve its purpose.

Using SITAR analysis to explore the impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues on the pubertal growth spurt in adolescents with gender dysphoria

Using SITAR analysis to explore the impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues on the pubertal growth spurt in adolescents with gender dysphoria

The influence of growth and training loads on injury risk in competitive trampoline gymnasts

ABSTRACT There is currently limited research exploring the relationship between growth, training load and injury in gymnasts. Twenty-one national level, trampoline gymnasts recorded training load and injury for 8-weeks. Percentage of predicted adult height (%PAH) was calculated using the Khamis–Roche method and used to define growth spurt status. Training load was calculated using the session rate of perceived exertion and analysed as differential loads and as a 7-day exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA7day). There was a significant non-linear association between %PAH and the probability of injury when adjusting for either training load metric (differential load, P = 0.015; EWMA7day; P = 0.008), with the highest injury risk estimated at ~90% PAH (circa growth spurt). The probability of injury significantly increased with increases in EWMA7day training load (RR: 1.88 95% CI: 1.21–2.91, P = 0.005) but not with differential load. No significant interaction between %PAH, training load and the probability of injury were observed. Data suggest that competitive trampoline gymnasts are at an increased risk of injury during the adolescent growth spurt or with higher weekly training loads. Coaches should be educated and encouraged to identify periods of rapid growth and monitor training load, to reduce the risk of injury.

The mechanobiology of differential growth in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Introduction: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a multifactorial disorder that has been linked to genetic, hormonal, neurological, microbial and environmental cues. Eventually, however, AIS is a mechanical deformation of the spine, so an adequate theory of etiopathogenesis must provide an explanation for this and address the forces involved. Objective: In previous research with a physical model of the spine we showed that restrained differential growth, a mismatch of growth in mutually attached tissues, can result in the typical sequence of three-dimensional deformations seen in AIS.[1] Here we aim to identify the mechanobiological principles that may underlie this phenomenon and explain the deformities observed. Methods: We performed a literature study in Pubmed using the keywords growth, spine, tensegrity, muscle strength, vertebral body, growth plate, Hueter-Volkmann Law, intervertebral disc height, ligament, notochordal cells, and osmosis. Relevant information was gathered and combined for a comprehensive theory of etiopathogenesis for AIS. Results and Discussion: The human body is a tensegrity-like structure, in which muscles, ligaments and fasciae stabilize the skeleton. As the child grows, bone and cartilage elongate the muscles, ligaments and fasciae and induce their remodeling and growth. Considering the literature, we suggest the following scenario for the etiopathogenesis of AIS. During the growth spurt, there is a delay in muscular maturation, resulting in lowered prestress and decreased stability of the skeleton. According to Hueter-Volkmann, reduced axial compression enhances the growth of bones, which is indeed observed in AIS patients. Decreased spinal compression further results in lower vertebral bone density and increased disc height. Reduced dynamic loading also preserves the notochordal cells in the nucleus pulposus, which stimulates the production of proteoglycans and the assembly of the osmotic extracellular matrix. This intradiscal pressure increases intervertebral disc height to its limits, rendering the longitudinal ligaments and the annulus fibrosus under excessive tension (Figure 1). Under these conditions, spinal ligaments cannot remodel and therefore not grow with the intervertebral discs. The enhanced intradiscal pressure and locked ligamental remodeling embody the differential growth of the spine that results in scoliotic bending and rotation. Conclusion and Significance: AIS has been related to many physiological cues, yet the deformations observed remain essentially unexplained. The suggested differential growth mechanism fits well with the timing and speed of scoliotic deformations during the adolescent growth spurt. The identification of increased intradiscal pressure as the driving force of scoliotic deformities may be helpful to design prevention and treatment strategies for AIS.

Adolescent with physiologic striae atrophicae of the thighs.

Physiologic striae atrophicae of adolescence occur mainly in healthy nonobese adolescents in association with the adolescent growth spurt. The striae typically present as erythematous, purple, or violaceous, horizontal linear plaques in the lumbar area. Occurrence of striae elsewhere on the body exclusively is rare. A PubMed search of the English literature using the key terms "physiological striae atrophicae of adolescence" OR "physiological striae atrophicae of puberty" AND "thigh" did not yield any prior report. We report a teenager with physiologic striae atrophicae of adolescence with striae restricted to the thighs.

Sex estimation through mandibular ramus flexure using Orthopantomogram and Lateral Cephalogram-A comparative study

Mandible is one of the largest and strongest bones in skull. It is sensitive to adolescent growth spurt and holds many dimorphic traits that could be useful for the sex estimation. A retrospective study was done to analyse the reliability of mandibular ramus flexure for sex estimation in Indian population and to observe, compare and evaluate the sex discriminant potential of mandibular Ramus flexure by using digital Orthopantomogram (OPG) and Lateral Cephalogram (LC). The study was conducted on 200 samples (90 males and 110 females) with aged 10–30 years, by using both standard digital OPG and LC for each study sample. The radiographs were visualized using Planmeca Romexis software 2.9.2.R. A tangent line was drawn on the posterior margin of ramus and the orientation line were drawn on the occlusal plane on mandibular molars extended to the ramus body, which predicted the sex by viewing distinct ramus flexure and later compared with actual sex. Sex was accurately determined in 60 out of 90 males with a prediction accuracy rate of 67.4%. 90 out of 110 females were identified correctly with a prediction accuracy rate of 81%. The overall accuracy rate was 74.25%. Similar results were obtained from both OPG and LC analysis. The result of the present study proved that the mandibular ramus plays a major role in sex determination due to its unique high sexual dimorphism. Hence, we advocate the use of mandibular ramus flexure as an aid for sex estimation by using either OPG or LC.

On the Salone (Moken) people in whom adolescent growth spurt of height have not been seen

On the Salone (Moken) people in whom adolescent growth spurt of height have not been seen

Height and Extremity-Length Prediction for Healthy Children Using Age-Based Versus Peak Height Velocity Timing-Based Multipliers.

The age-based multiplier method described by Paley et al. markedly simplifies height and limb length predictions but may not adequately accommodate children's maturational differences. Multipliers can be derived relative to any maturity measure. This study compares Paley age-based multipliers with those based on peak height velocity (PHV) timing. In a longitudinal cohort of healthy children (66 male and 70 female), actual adult heights and limb lengths were compared with the measurements predicted using the Paley multipliers and multipliers developed relative to PHV timing. The age-based multipliers (adult divided by current) in our series were compared with those reported by Paley et al. to ensure that there were no systematic differences between the series. Absolute differences between the actual and predicted adult heights and limb lengths and the standard deviations of those differences were compared between the 2 methods. The average age-based multipliers in our series were nearly identical to those reported by Paley et al. The differences between the predicted and actual adult values showed wide ranges when either the Paley or the PHV multipliers were used during infancy. The Paley method performed better than the PHV method throughout pre-growth-spurt childhood. The PHV-timing-derived multipliers became superior as children entered their growth spurt, whereas the performance of the age-based multipliers worsened. In adolescence, the maximum standard deviation for adult-height-prediction errors with use of the Paley multipliers occurred at the age of 13.5 years for boys and 11.5 years for girls and was 7.0 cm for boys and 5.6 cm for girls. For limb lengths, the maximum standard deviations occurred 6 months earlier and were 3.9 cm for boys and 3.2 cm for girls. The maximum standard deviation for the height prediction error with the age-based method occurred at the average time of PHV for the population. The PHV method became better than the Paley method just before growth-spurt initiation, at age 8 in girls and 11 in boys. The age-based multipliers described by Paley et al. are superior to PHV-timing-based multipliers prior to the adolescent growth spurt for predicting height. They become less predictive, with wide standard deviations, as children enter their growth spurts, and PHV-derived multipliers become superior. The Paley height multipliers should be used before the age of 8 years in girls and 11 years in boys. After this, PHV-derived multipliers are superior for height and limb length prediction. In practice, these predictions are currently made using skeletal maturity, which is closely related to PHV during adolescence.

Coach awareness, knowledge and practice in relation to growth and maturation and training load in competitive, young gymnasts

Growth-related and overuse injuries are commonly reported in young gymnasts. Two risk factors of these injuries are growth and maturation, and training load. However, little is known regarding current coaching knowledge and practice in relation to these risk factors. To help understand current knowledge and practice, 44 coaches of competitive, young gymnasts, from 3 gymnastics disciplines (men’s artistic, women’s artistic, trampoline) took part in focus groups. The focus groups explored the awareness, experience and practice of coaches in relation to growth and maturation, training load and injury in competitive, young gymnasts. Data were analysed manually using an inductive thematic approach to identify core themes. The findings showed that coaches were aware of the physical changes and injuries that occur during the adolescent growth spurt. Both psychological changes and skill loss/confusion were also identified as challenges during this time. The knowledge and practice of monitoring growth and maturation, and training load did however differ between disciplines. Sports science and medicine practitioners were recognised as key stakeholders in helping manage and reduce the risk of injuries during growth. There appears to be gap between coach knowledge of growth and maturation, and training load, and practices such as monitoring training load and growth. Educating coaches and further research in these areas will aid coaches in reducing the risk of injuries in young, competitive gymnasts.

Trends in growth and developmental tempo in boys aged 7 to 18 years between 1966 and 2012 in Poland.

To assess trends in growth in different developmental periods and trends in developmental tempo in Polish boys between 1966 and 2012. Data on 34 828 boys aged 7 to 18 years were collected during Polish Anthropological Surveys conducted in 1966, 1978, 1988, and 2012. Biological parameters, related to onset of adolescent growth spurt (OGS) and peak height velocity (PHV), were derived from a Preece-Baines 1 model (PB1). Childhood (height at 7 years of age), pre-adolescent (height at OGS) and adolescent growth (adult height minus height at OGS) were identified. Positive secular trend between 1966 and 2012 in adult height accounted for, on average, 1.5cm/decade, with varying intensity between the Surveys. Decline in both age at OGS and APHV between 1966 and 2012 (1.5 and 1.4 years, respectively) indicated an acceleration in developmental tempo, on average, by 0.3year/decade. Increases in the contribution to the trend in adult height gained during growth in particular developmental periods between 1966 and 2012 were as followed-childhood: 0.6%, pre-adolescent growth: -3.1%, adolescent growth: 3.1%. Secular trend in developmental tempo and growth among boys reflects changes in living conditions and socio-political aspirations in Poland during nearly 50 years. Acceleration in tempo is already visible at age at OGS, whereas the trend in adult height occurs largely during adolescence, pointing to different regulation of developmental tempo and growth in body height. This finding emphasizes the importance of extending public health intervention into children's growth up until adolescence.

Growth in achondroplasia, from birth to adulthood, analysed by the JPA-2 model.

In general population, there are three phases in the human growth curve: infancy, childhood and puberty, with different main factors involved in their regulation and mathematical models to fit them. Achondroplasia children experience a fast decreasing growth during infancy and an "adolescent growth spurt"; however, there are no longitudinal studies that cover the analysis of the whole post-natal growth. Here we analyse the whole growth curve from infancy to adulthood applying the JPA-2 mathematical model. Twenty-seven patients, 17 girls and 10 boys with achondroplasia, who reached adult size, were included. Height growth data was collected from birth until adulthood. Individual growth curves were estimated by fitting the JPA-2 model to each individual's height for age data. Height growth velocity curves show that after a period of fast decreasing growth velocity since birth, with a mean of 9.7cm/year at 1 year old, the growth velocity is stable in late preschool years, with a mean of 4.2cm/year. In boys, age and peak height velocity in puberty were 13.75years and 5.08cm/year and reach a mean adult height of 130.52cm. In girls, the age and peak height velocity in puberty were 11.1years and 4.32cm/year and reach a mean adult height of 119.2cm. The study of individual growth curves in achondroplasia children by the JPA-2 model shows the three periods, infancy, childhood and puberty, with a similar shape but lesser in magnitude than general population.

Coaches\u2019 Evaluations of Match Performance in Academy Soccer Players in Relation to the Adolescent Growth Spurt

Individual differences in biological maturation present challenges for coaches involved with youth soccer players. Youth in the same chronological age group vary in terms of stage of maturity (pre, circum- and post-pubescent) and rate of growth, but how this affects coaches’ evaluations of player performance is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare youth soccer coaches’ evaluations of players match performances before, during and post growth spurt in a professional English soccer academy across four seasons. Two hundred and seventy-eight male soccer players in the under-9 to under-16 age-groups had their performances evaluated by their coach on a 4-point Likert scale. For each game, players were categorised by their maturity status estimated using percentage of predicted adult height at the time of observation. A one-way ANCOVA controlling for the level of opposition and game outcome revealed that coaches’ evaluations declined from the pre- to during growth spurt stages, however, this was only significant in the under 12 age-group. Further, coaches’ evaluations increased again in the post-growth spurt stage, although only significant in the under 15 age-group. Coaches evaluations of player performance appear to vary in accordance with stage of maturity and rate of growth. Practitioners in youth soccer should understand the extent to which maturity status may adversely impact performance and consider this when making talent selection decisions.

Movement competency and measures of isometric and dynamic strength and power in boys of different maturity status.

An understanding of how movement competency, strength, and power interact with natural growth and maturation is required in order to determine meaningful changes with developing athletes. Isometric and dynamic testing in youth athletes provides insight into the natural development of the force-velocity (F-V) spectrum. Two-hundred and six young male athletes, aged 9-17years of age, were grouped according to stage of maturation based on their maturity offset which was determined as number of years from peak height velocity (PHV). All participants performed the back-squat assessment (BSA), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), countermovement jump (CMJ), and squat jump (SJ) tests. Absolute and scaled force-time variables were collected from the IMTP, CMJ, and SJ. No significant differences were observed between maturational groups for squat movement competency (P>.05). One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc analysis revealed that increasing maturity led to significant, moderate to large increases in allometrically scaled peak force (PFallo ) for all tests (P<.05). Multiple stepwise linear regression models revealed IMTP PFallo significantly predicted 34.8% and 41.3% of variance in SJ and CMJ jump height, respectively (P<.05). Natural growth and maturation induces positive adaptations to movement competency as well as isometric and dynamic strength and power. Trends from the IMTP, SJ, and CMJ tests indicate the largest differences in strength, and power may occur around the adolescent growth spurt despite the large variation in rates of change within the circa-PHV group.

The effects of growth on structural properties of the Achilles and Patellar tendons: A cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the structural properties (length and cross‐sectional area) of both the Patellar and Achilles tendons at around adolescent growth spurt. One hundred‐twenty children and adolescents participated in this study. Based on estimated age at peak height velocity, the participants were separated into three groups (before takeoff of adolescent growth spurt group, from takeoff of adolescent growth spurt until peak height velocity group and after peak height velocity group). An ultrasonography technique was used to determine structural properties of the Patellar and Achilles tendons. Significant group difference was observed in tendon length for the Patellar and Achilles tendons among groups. However, there were no significant differences in the ratio of the Patellar tendon to upper leg length and the ratio of the Achilles tendon to lower leg length among groups. The cross‐sectional area of all regions for the Patellar and Achilles tendons in adolescents with after takeoff adolescent growth spurt group was greater than those of before takeoff adolescent growth spurt group. These results indicate that the cross‐sectional area of both the Patellar and Achilles tendons increase with takeoff of adolescent growth spurt and tendons lengthen without the changes in the ratio of tendon length to bone length. In addition, the increases in the cross‐sectional area of both the Patellar and Achilles tendons occur in whole regions but not specific regions.

Estimating peak height velocity in individuals: a comparison of statistical methods

Background Estimates pertaining to the timing of the adolescent growth spurt (e.g. peak height velocity; PHV), including age at peak height velocity (aPHV), play a critical role in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of skeletal growth and/or developmental disorders. Yet, distinct statistical methodologies often result in large estimate discrepancies. Aim The aim of the present study was to assess the advantages and disadvantages of three modelling methodologies for height as well as to determine how estimates derived from these methodologies may differ, particularly those that may be useful in paediatric clinical practice. Subjects and methods Height data from 686 individuals of the Fels Longitudinal Study were modelled using 5th order polynomials, natural cubic splines, and SuperImposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) to determine aPHV and PHV for all individuals together (i.e. population average) by sex and separately for each individual. Estimates within and between methodologies were calculated and compared. Results In general, mean aPHV was earlier, and PHV was greater for individuals when compared to estimates from population average models. Significant differences between mean aPHV and PHV for individuals were observed in all three methodologies, with SITAR exhibiting the latest aPHV and largest PHV estimates. Conclusion Each statistical methodology has a number of advantages when used for specific purposes. For modelling growth in individuals, as one would in paediatric clinical practice, we recommend the use of the 5th order polynomial methodology due to its parameter flexibility.

Patterns of physical performance spurts during adolescence: a cross-cultural study of Canadian, Brazilian and Portuguese boys

Background Data relating physical performance to the timing of the adolescent growth spurt are limited. Aim: This study identifies: (i) age-at-peak height velocity (APHV), (ii) physical performance spurt patterns aligned to APHV; and (iii) cross-cultural and time patterns in Canadian, Brazilian and Portuguese boys. Subjects and methods: A total of 512 boys (131 Canadian, 250 Portuguese and 131 Brazilian), 8–17 years of age were followed serially using longitudinal data. APHV was identified and five physical performance measures velocities [trunk extension (TE), trunk flexion (TF), standing long jump (SLJ), curl-ups (CU) and handgrip strength (HG)] were aligned at 6-month intervals, 4 years around the attainment of PHV. Velocities were estimated using a non-smooth mathematical procedure. Results: APHV was 13.9 ± 1.0, 13.4 ± 1.6 and 13.0 ± 0.8 years for Canadian, Brazilian and Portuguese boys, respectively. Maximal velocity in SLJ was attained between 12 and 6 months prior to PHV. For HG, peaks were attained 12–24 months after PHV. Maximal velocity in TE occurred between 12 and 0 months prior to PHV, while CU peaked between PHV and 6 months after PHV. Conclusion: Patterns of spurts in physical performance have remained relatively the same and do not appear to be influenced by cross-cultural differences.

Decline of physical activity in early adolescence: A 3-year cohort study.

This study analyses the changes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a cohort of boys and girls aged 11 (n = 50) and 14 (n = 50). Physical activity was assessed with Bodymedia SenseWear Pro Armband monitor for 6 days in October 2013 and October 2016, considering 90% of daily wear time (21h and 40min). The initial sample (n = 160) included the children who wore the monitors at age 11 but the final analyzed sample included only those children from the initial sample (n = 50), whose data fulfilled the inclusion criteria at age 11 and 14. Physical fitness and somatic characteristics of the final sample (n = 50) were compared to a representative sample of Slovenian schoolchildren at ages 11 (n = 385) and 14 (n = 236) to detect possible bias. Changes in MVPA were controlled for maturity using the timing of adolescent growth spurt as its indicator. The average MVPA decreased more than one quarter (34.96 min) from age 11 to age 14. Children were significantly more active at age 11 than at age 14 (p < 0.01, d = 0.39). The timing of puberty onset in girls was significantly earlier (12.01 ± 1.0 years) (p < 0.01) than in boys (13.2 ± 0.75 years) (p < 0.01, d = 1.35). There was a significant gender difference in moderate-to vigorous physical activity at age 14 (p < 0.05, η2 = 0.12) and between moderate-to vigorous physical activity at age 11 and 14 (η2 = 0.11). After controlling for the timing of adolescent growth spurt the girls at age 11 showed significantly higher level of physical activity than at age 14 (p < 0.01, η2 = 0.17). Early adolescence is crucial for the development of physical activity behaviours, which is especially pronounced in girls. The significant decline of MVPA between ages 11 and 14 in Slovenia are likely influenced by environmental changes since the timing of adolescent growth spurt did not prove as a factor underlying the decline of MVPA.

Вариативность динамики соматометрических показателей у школьников с различным нутритивным статусом (лонгитудинальное исследование)

Objective. To identify specific features of pubertal growth spurt in adolescents depending on their nutritional status in prepuberty. Patients and methods. We analyzed the dynamics of height and weight in 645 children (331 boys and 314 girls) aged between 8 and 16 years. All study participants were divided into three groups depending on whether their weight and height at the age of 8 years were within the normal limits given in the ‘WHO Growth Reference 2007’: children with physical development; underweight children; and overweight children. Results. The dynamics of somatometric parameters during pubertal growth spurt varied between children with different nutritional status. Underweight boys demonstrated prolonged and low-amplitude pubertal growth pattern; in boys with normal physical development, the growth spurt was usually shorter and had high amplitude. In overweight boys, the pubertal growth spurt started with higher annual increase in height, had a more pronounced amplitude, and was shorter than in peers (р &lt; 0.001 ÷ р &lt; 0.05). Both underweight girls and girls with normal physical development demonstrated low-amplitude pubertal growth spurt lasting for two years. Overweight girls had two peaks of pubertal growth spurt, which usually started earlier than in other girls (р &lt; 0.001 ÷ р &lt; 0.01). Conclusion. Our findings can be used as a guide for predicting pubertal spurt in children during medical examinations, determining adequate physical activity in physical education classes at school and in sports sections. Key words: children, nutritional status, pubertal growth spurt

Postural Stability in Adolescent Girls with Progressive Idiopathic Scoliosis.

The aim of this work was to analyze postural stability of girls having progressive form of idiopathic scoliosis and undergoing specific period of the adolescent growth spurt. Twenty-seven girls, aged 13.4 ± 1.2 years, presenting structural idiopathic scoliosis, thoracic or thoracolumbar pattern, radiological Cobb angle 41.7 ± 17.4° (study group) and 37 healthy girls (control group) were included. The groups were sex, age, height, weight, and BMI matched. Postural stability examination was performed using two stabilometric platforms with visual control (eyes open) at three stages: (1) both legs' stance, (2) left leg stance, and (3) right leg stance. The Center of Pressure (COP) sway path length, the area and the displacement amplitude were compared. For the double stance, no difference in postural stability parameters between the groups was found. However, for the right leg stance, the total sway path length was longer (p = 0.04) and the mean amplitude of the lateral COP displacement was increased (p = 0.03) in the scoliotic group. In conclusion, for double stance, the adolescent girls with progressive form of idiopathic scoliosis revealed fair postural stability compared to control group. An impaired postural control was observed during right leg stance.