Assessment of the relationship between perinatal factors, early psychomotor development and congenital malformations of the locomotor system with the incidence of idiopathic scoliosis to order earlier screening of children at risk
Idiopathic scoliosis is a developmental disorder of the spine with lateral curvature in the frontal plane and Cobb angle of more than 10 degrees. Idiopathic scoliosis with minor Cobb angle is an aesthetic disorder, but a significant Cobb angle can cause damage to the heart and lung function. Because its aetiology is unknown, treatment is symptomatic, focused on early recognition and timely treatment to prevent progression. The objective of the study was to identify predictors for the development of idiopathic scoliosis by analysis of perinatal factors, early development and congenital malformations of the locomotor system in order to identify children at risk by history and clinical examination. We analysed 100 subjects with idiopathic scoliosis, 79 girls and 21 boys aged 6-18 years with a Cobb angle of 15 degrees or more, and a control group of 100 subjects without idiopathic scoliosis. Data were entered into the questionnaire, and statistical analysis was done by Mann-Whitney test, Levene test, χ2-test, Fisher exact test and t-test. In the idio- pathic scoliosis group, significant differences were recorded in the following parameters: complications/rest during pregnancy, crawling stage, menarche, and mutation/voice change in boys, expression of flat feet, dorsalgia, leg shortening and deformities of the musculoskeletal system. Idiopathic scoliosis was diagnosed late in nine children aged 15-18 years; according to the type of sco- liosis, 4C type was recorded in 55, 3C in 20, E in 18 and n3n4 in seven subjects. In conclusion, there was a significant between-group difference in development, symptoms and deformities of the skeletal system, identified by history and examination before the onset of clinical signs of idiopathic scoliosis, indicating an increased risk of scoliosis development later in life. We have designed a question- naire to be filled out for younger clinically inconspicuous children in order to identify those at an increased risk, so we can follow-up them more often, diagnose idiopathic scoliosis earlier and start optimal treatment on time.Keywords: SCOLIOSIS; RISK FAC TORS; MASS SCREENING
Category: Original scientific paper
Volume: Vol. 65, No 1, january - march 2021
Authors: Đurđica Kesak-Ursić, Ivica Fotez, Alma Ćurtović, Ljiljana Katunac, Romana Bogojević, Bojana Cigić
Reference work: Paediatr Croat. 2021;65:13-20
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.13112/PC.2021.3