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Reference values for the cross-sectional area of the lumbar multifidus muscle in children
Insights
This study provides crucial reference values for lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in children aged 5-10. These findings aid in assessing muscle development and monitoring pediatric musculoskeletal health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric musculoskeletal health
- Developmental anatomy
- Biomechanical analysis
Background:
- The multifidus muscle is vital for pediatric growth and postural control.
- Lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) reference values are essential for evaluating muscle development and early detection of musculoskeletal disorders in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish percentile scores for the lumbar multifidus muscle's cross-sectional area (CSA) in healthy children aged 5 to 10 years.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional, observational study involving 736 children.
- Anthropometric assessment and ultrasound (US) imaging were utilized.
- Lumbar (L5) multifidus muscle CSA was measured and expressed as percentile scores.
Main Results:
- Lumbar multifidus muscle CSA ranged from 1.8 cm² to 5.3 cm² in boys and 1.9 cm² to 5.9 cm² in girls.
- The 50th percentile CSA for both sexes was 3.4 cm².
- CSA increased between ages 5 and 7 in both sexes; girls showed greater variance and CSA increase after age 8, unlike boys.
Conclusions:
- Percentile scores for lumbar multifidus muscle CSA in children aged 5-10 years have been established.
- Muscle CSA increased from ages 5-7 with no significant sex differences in percentiles.
- Post-8 years of age, CSA growth was observed only in girls.
Background:
The multifidus muscle plays a major role in the growth and postural control of children. Therefore, the reference values of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the lumbar multifidus muscle represent an important tool for assessing muscle development and the early monitoring of musculoskeletal disorders.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to provide percentile scores for the CSA of the lumbar multifidus muscle in eutrophic children aged 5 to 10 years.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional, observational study, involving 736 children. An anthropometric assessment was conducted and ultrasound (US) imaging was used to assess the CSA of the lumbar (vertebral level L5) multifidus muscle. The CSA was expressed as percentile scores.
Results:
The CSA in the boys ranged from 1.8 cm2 to 5.3 cm2 and in girls from 1.9 cm2 to 5.9 cm. The CSA in the 50th percentile scores of both sexes was 3.4 cm2. There was an increase in the CSA between 5 and 7 years old in both sexes. The CSA presented a greater variance in girls than in boys. After 8 years of age, the multifidus CSA increased in girls and decreased in boys.
Conclusion:
The present study has provided percentile scores for the CSA of the lumbar multifidus muscle for eutrophic children aged 5 to 10 years. An increase was observed of the CSA of the multifidus muscle between the ages of 5 and 7 years and there were no differences in the CSA percentiles in relation to sex. An increase in the CSA after 8 years of age was only observed in the girls.
