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Small feet and Perthes' disease. A survey in Liverpool
A J Hall1, D J Barker, P H Dangerfield
1MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, England.
Insights
Children from underprivileged urban areas in Britain with Perthes disease show retarded growth. This includes reduced trunk and limb growth, particularly small feet, compared to siblings and unaffected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Human Growth and Development
Background:
- Perthes disease exhibits a high incidence in children of unskilled manual workers in underprivileged British urban areas.
- Socioeconomic factors may influence skeletal development and the manifestation of Perthes disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate skeletal measurements in children with Perthes disease from underprivileged backgrounds.
- To compare growth patterns between affected children, their siblings, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Skeletal measurements of 38 Liverpool children diagnosed with Perthes disease were collected.
- Measurements were compared with those of siblings and normal children from inner and outer city areas.
Main Results:
- Children in families with Perthes disease demonstrate retarded trunk growth, evidenced by reduced sitting height and bi-acromial diameter.
- Affected children exhibit retarded limb growth, most notably unusually small feet.
Conclusions:
- Perthes disease is associated with specific patterns of growth retardation affecting both the trunk and limbs.
- Environmental and socioeconomic factors in underprivileged urban settings may play a role in the development of Perthes disease.
Abstract:
There is a high incidence of Perthes' disease among the children of unskilled manual workers in underprivileged urban areas in Britain. The skeletal measurements of 38 Liverpool children with Perthes' disease were compared with those of their siblings and of normal children from the inner and outer city. Children in families where Perthes' disease occurs have retarded growth of the trunk, with reduced sitting height and bi-acromial diameter. Among those who develop the disease there is also retarded limb growth, most evident as unusually small feet.