Postural defects in children with cystic fibrosis - preliminary report.

UNLABELLED: Postural disturbances may cause the worsening of cardiopulmonary function in cystic fibrosis children and adolescents, as well as adversely affect their somatic and psychological development.

THE AIM: Evaluation of postural defects in the population of cystic fibrosis children and adolescents.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Physical orthopedic examination of 41 cystic fibrosis patients (20 girls, 21 boys), aged 2-17 years (mean 8.1). The patients were divided into age groups: I under 5 y.o - 8 patients., II 5-9 y.o.- 6 patients, III 9-13 y.o - 11 patients, IV 13 y.o. and older - 16 patients. Postural disorders were divided into two groups. The first group included defects with a possible influence on the respiratory function of a cystic fibrosis patient: scoliosis, spine defects and chest deformities. The second group included lower extremities defects without influence on the function of the respiratory system.

RESULTS

Postural as well as chest disorders were observed in 36 (87.8%) of the patients who were examined. Disorders with possible influence on respiratory system function, were observed in 13 (31.7%) of the 41 patients. Increased thoracic kyphosis (round back) was most frequent. In the group of patients aged 5 years and younger neither spinal nor chest abnormalities were observed. In the group of patients aged 5-9 years 1 (16.6%) case of congenital scoliosis and 1 (16.6%) case of plane back were found. In the group of children aged 9-13 years increased thoracic kyphosis was observed in 2 (18.1%) cases, plane back was observed in 2 (18.1%) children as well, while in 1 (9.0%) case increased lumbar lordosis was diagnosed. Barrell chest was observed in 2 (18.1%) cases. In the group of adolescents aged 13 years and more, 4 (25.0%) cases of scoliosis, 16 (100%) cases of increased thoracic kyphosis and 6 (37.5%) cases of barrel chest were observed. Because of the different methods of examination among posture studies of the healthy population, obtaining a control population is difficult.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of postural defects in children with cystic fibrosis increases with age, and is becoming a significant health problem. It seems that there is a need of a deeper study on a greater population. .