Abnormal peri-pubertal anthropometric measurements and growth pattern in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a study of 598 patients.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study of anthropometric parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Objective: To compare anthropometric parameters and growth pattern of AIS girls versus normal controls during peri-puberty.

Summary Of Background Data: Abnormal pattern of growth has been reported in AIS patients. The sequential changes of growth and the correlation with curve severity have not been properly studied.

Materials And Methods: Five hundred ninety-eight AIS girls and 307 healthy girls entered the study. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), arm span, sitting height, and leg length were determined using standard techniques. Height and sitting height were adjusted by using the greatest Cobb angle to correct for spinal deformity (Bjure's formula). Puberty was graded by Tanner's staging.

Results: AIS girls had significantly shorter height (P = 0.001), corrected height (P = 0.005), arm span (P = 0.022), sitting height (P = 0.005) and leg length (P = 0.004) than the controls at pubertal stage I. From pubertal stages II through V, corrected height (P
Conclusions: Various body segmental lengths were initially significantly shorter in AIS before puberty. However, after the onset of puberty, significantly longer corrected height, arm span, and various body segments were found. And there were significant correlations between anthropometric parameters and the scoliotic curve severity. Results of this large-scale study revealed the presence of abnormal growth in AIS patients during peripubertal development.