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Exploring Posturography in Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Victoria G Marchese1, Emily McCarthy1, Simon Ho1
1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Insights
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) show impaired balance but not postural control deficits compared to peers. Further research is needed to understand this dissociation in motor skills.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Neurology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) impacts 1 in 350 US newborns.
- Children with SCD face risks for impaired postural control.
- This study investigates balance and postural control in children with SCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare postural control in children with SCD versus controls.
- To assess balance using standardized motor proficiency tests.
- To evaluate sensory integration and limits of stability in pediatric SCD.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-eight children (6-17 years) with SCD and matched controls participated.
- Posturography assessed Limits of Stability (LOS) and mCTSIB.
- Balance was measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd Edition (BOT-2).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in posturography measures (LOS, mCTSIB) between groups.
- Children with SCD exhibited significantly poorer BOT-2 balance scores (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Children with SCD show impaired balance but intact posturography.
- The dissociation between balance and postural control in pediatric SCD requires further investigation.
Introduction:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects 1 in every 350 newborns in the United States. Children with SCD are at risk for impaired postural control. The purpose of this study was to explore if children with SCD have impaired postural control as compared to age- and sex-matched controls.
Methods:
Twenty-eight children between the ages of 6 and 17 years were recruited for the study including children with SCD and age- and sex-matched controls. Posturography measures included Limits of Stability (LOS) and Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (mCTSIB) testing and balance was measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd Edition (BOT-2).
Results:
There were no between-group differences in posturography measures. Children with SCD had significantly poorer BOT-2 balance performance as compared to age- and sex-matched controls (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
This sample of children with SCD does not demonstrate impairments in posturography as measured by limits of stability and sensory integration despite having significantly impaired balance compared to peers. Additional research is necessary to determine why children with SCD demonstrate gross balance impairments without concurrent impairments in postural control.
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