Diurnal variation of body height in children with idiopathic scoliosis.

Abstract

Body height (BH) measurement is an important part of the clinical evaluation of children with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) as its progression is defined based on the observation of a growth spurt. The aim of the study is to assess diurnal variation of BH in children with IS. BH was measured in 98 children with IS (Cobb angle: 10∘-52∘, mean 21.2∘± 9.9∘) both in standing and sitting position. The measurements were performed 4 times a day - between: (1) 7:00 and 8:00; (2) 11:00 and 12:00; (3) 15:00 and 16:00 and (4) 19:00 and 20:00. A significant decrease in BH during the day was observed in both standing and sitting positions (p< 0.001). The highest decrease in height was observed between the measurements performed between 7:00 and 8:00 and measurements carried out in the evening (19:00-20:00). For standing, the mean loss of height was 0.7 cm (± 0.7), i.e. 0.43% of initial standing height, for sitting the mean decrease in height was 0.7 cm (± 0.7), i.e. 0.79% of initial sitting height. BH decreases in children with IS during daytime. Due to diurnal BH variation, the time of the day should be recorded when measuring patients with IS.