Original scientific paper
Prevalence of Scoliosis in School-Children from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Zdenko Ostojić
Tina Krišto
Ljerka Ostojić
Pavao Petrović
Ivan Vasilj
Žarko Šantić
Abstract
In the school-year 2002/2003 a prospective epidemiological study was performed with the aim of evaluating the prevalence and distribution of scoliosis in the population of schoolchildren from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The general check-up of primary-school children covered a total of 2,517 children aged 7–14.The children in which at least one positive symptom of scoliosis was found were directed to undergo orthopedic examination and – if indicated – radiography. Incorrect posture was noted in 33.4% of children, and 11.8% of children were sent to orthopedic specialist examination. The prevalence of structural scoliosis amounted to 3.1%, with the spine curvature threshold being 10 degrees. In eight children (0.32%; 1 boy and 7 girls) a curvature of 20 degrees or more was diagnosed. The most common type of curvature was the thoracal (39%) and the thoraco-lumbar (39%) while 14 children had a double curvature (17.8%). A scoliosis was detected due to here performed check-up in 83.5% of children with scoliosis. No case of serious spine deformity (45 degree or more) was recorded, due to regular general check-ups taking place biannually in this population.
Keywords
scoliosis; prevalence; epidemiology; primary-school children
Hrčak ID:
7506
URI
Publication date:
16.3.2006.
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