[Hip rotation degrees, intoeing problem, and sitting habits in nursery school children: an analysis of 1,134 cases]
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Published on: February 5, 2019
Levent Altinel1, Kamil Cağri Köse, Yusuf Aksoy
1Afyon Kocatepe Universitesi Tip Fakültesi Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dali. levent_altinel@hotmail.com
Insights
This study found that nursery school children with intoeing, a condition causing inward-turned feet, often exhibit greater hip internal rotation. Television sitting habits were significantly more common in children with intoeing.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Biomechanical Analysis
Context:
- Intoeing is a common pediatric condition affecting gait and foot posture.
- Understanding the biomechanical factors and habitual influences is crucial for early intervention.
- Previous research has explored causes, but the interplay of hip rotation and specific sitting habits requires further investigation.
Purpose:
- To investigate hip rotation degrees, the frequency of intoeing, and sitting habits in preschool children.
- To determine the relationship between hip rotation, intoeing, and common sitting postures.
- To identify potential risk factors for intoeing in early childhood.
Summary:
- A study of 1,134 preschool children (3-6 years) measured hip rotation and assessed intoeing and sitting habits.
- Girls exhibited greater hip internal rotation than boys. Intoeing, primarily of femoral origin, was associated with increased hip internal rotation and decreased external rotation.
- Television sitting was significantly more prevalent in children with intoeing compared to those without.
Impact:
- Findings suggest a link between specific sitting habits, particularly television viewing postures, and the development of intoeing.
- Highlights the importance of considering habitual postures in the assessment and management of intoeing in young children.
- Provides data on hip rotation norms and deviations in a preschool population, aiding clinical evaluation.
Objectives:
We investigated hip rotation degrees, frequency of intoeing problems, and sitting habits in nursery school children and the relationship between these parameters.
Methods:
The study included 1,134 children (612 boys, 522 girls), aged between three to six years, attending 26 nursery schools in the central area of Afyon. First, informed consent was obtained from the parents and a questionnaire was administered about demographic data and sitting habits of the children. Then, the children were examined in lower underwear. Foot progression angles were determined and progression to midline during walking was evaluated as intoeing. Internal and external rotation degrees of the hips were measured using a goniometer in prone and supine positions.
Results:
In girls, internal rotation of the hip was nearly 13 degrees greater in the prone position, and 9 degrees greater in the supine position compared to those of the boys. Intoeing was detected in 67 children (5.9%), 76.1% being bilateral. The girl-to-boy ratio was 2.4/1. Intoeing problem originated from the femur in 74.6%, and from the tibia in 25.4%. Compared to normal children, intoeing was associated with a greater internal rotation and a smaller external rotation of the hip. Overall, 36.7% had a crossed-leg sitting habit, and 63.3% had a television sitting habit. The latter was more frequent in intoeing children (p=0.001).
Conclusion:
Although hip rotation degrees in our study were similar to those reported in the literature, higher hip internal rotation degrees were found especially in girls. Television sitting which is a frequently preferred position among nursery school children was significantly prevalent in intoeing children.
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