Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
Published on: December 11, 2013
Postural defects in children with cystic fibrosis - preliminary report
Tomasz Rawo1, Marek Tramś, Paweł Michalski
1Department of Surgery of the Vertebral Column and Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute of Mother and Child Kasprzaka Street 17a, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland, Department of Traumatic Orthopediatric Surgery Pediatric Hospital named after Prof. J. Bogdanowicz, Niekłańska Street 4/24, 03-924 Warsaw, Poland, tel. (+48 22) 509-83-74,
Insights
Postural defects are common in children with cystic fibrosis and worsen with age, impacting their health. Early detection and intervention for scoliosis and other spinal issues are crucial for managing this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Postural disturbances can negatively impact cardiopulmonary function in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients.
- These defects may also hinder somatic and psychological development in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence and types of postural defects in children and adolescents diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- A physical orthopedic examination was conducted on 41 cystic fibrosis patients aged 2-17 years.
- Patients were categorized into four age groups for analysis.
- Postural disorders were classified into those affecting respiratory function (e.g., scoliosis, chest deformities) and those not impacting it.
Main Results:
- Postural and chest disorders were identified in 87.8% of the examined patients.
- Defects potentially affecting respiratory function were present in 31.7% of patients, with increased thoracic kyphosis being the most frequent.
- The incidence of postural defects, including scoliosis and chest deformities like barrel chest, increased with age, particularly in adolescents over 13.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of postural defects in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients escalates with age, presenting a significant health concern.
- Further research involving a larger patient cohort is recommended to comprehensively understand and address these findings.
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. .
More Related Videos
05:56Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
Published on: August 29, 2025
08:24Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb
Published on: August 30, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:23Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
01:24Cystic Fibrosis: Management
Sinus disease and chronic...
01:16Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form...