Analysis of body growth parameters in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: single thoracic idiopathic scoliosis versus single lumbar idiopathic scoliosis

Abnormal pattern of growth has been reported in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. However, the sequential changes of growth in different curve types of AIS have not been properly studied. The present study aimed to investigate the body growth characteristics of girls with single thoracic idiopathic scoliosis and lumbar idiopathic scoliosis in China. 339 AIS girls and 3914 healthy girls, aged 10~17yr, were included. All AIS girls had a mean Cobb angle of 32±10° (range 15~63°). According to the locations of curves end vertebrae, AIS girls were divided into 2 subgroups: a single thoracic curve and a single lumbar curve. Body weight and standing height was measured, and body mass index (BMI) and leg length was calculated of each subject in three groups, and corrected height was computed in AIS group according to Bjure's formula. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the differences in weight, height, corrected height and BMI between AIS and healthy girls. Standing height and sitting height showed no significant difference between thoracic scoliosis and lumbar scoliosis girls. Compared to healthy girls at the same age, thoracic and lumbar AIS girls had a significantly higher corrected standing and sitting height, arm span and leg length. Thoracic AIS girls had a significantly lower body weight than healthy girls at the age of 15yr. Yet, body weight showed no significant difference between lumbar AIS and healthy girls. The standing and sitting height between thoracic and lumbar AIS girls were similar during the pubertal period. Compared to healthy girls at the same age, thoracic and lumbar AIS girls had a significantly higher corrected standing, sitting height and leg length. In addition, thoracic AIS girls are leaner than healthy girls.