Abnormal Peripubertal Anthropometric Measurements and Growth Pattern in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis - A Study of 582 Patients

Introduction: Abnormalpattern of growth has been reported in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).The sequential changes and correlation with the pubertal stages has not been adequately studied.

Purpose: A cross-sectional study was designed to examine the anthropometric measurements and growth pattern of AIS patients vs. normal controls in the peripubertal period.

Methods: 582 AIS girls aged 10-15-y and 206 age-matched healthy girls participated in this study. Weight (BW), height (BH), body mass index (BMI), arm span, sitting height (SH) and Leg length (LL) were measured using standard techniques. Pubertal growth - breast stage (BS) was graded by Tanner’s staging.

Results: The AIS group had significantly shorter BH (p<0.01), arm span (p<0.05), SH (p<0.05) and LL (p<0.01) than those of controls in BS 1. From BS 2-5, arm span and LL were longer in AIS than controls (p<0.05 in BS 2 & 3; p<0.01 in BS 4 & 5). BH was also longer in AIS in BS 4 & 5 (p<0.05 in BS 4, p<0.01 in BS 5). In addition, the BW and BMI of AIS were found to be significantly lower than those of controls from BS 2-4 (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Anthropometric variables: BH, arm span, SH and LL were significantly shorter in AIS before the onset of puberty. However, various body segments and BH were significantly longer after the onset of pubertal growth. Results of this large-scale study revealed clearly the presence of abnormal peripubertal anthropometric measurements and growth pattern in AIS patients.