ABSTRACT
The present cross sectional study reveals trunk asymmetry (TA) in "normal" Mediterranean juveniles for the first time. The scoliometer readings in both standing and sitting forward bending position (FBP) of 3301 children, (1645 boys, and 1656 girls) aged from 3 to 9 years old were studied. TA was quantified by measuring angle of trunk rotation (ATR) and children were divided in two groups. In group I the ATR was 1 degrees to 6 degrees degrees and in group II> or =7 degrees . 71.25% of boys and 73.27% of girls in standing while 81.13% of boys and 80.74% of girls in sitting FBP, were symmetric (ATR=0 degrees ). The symmetry difference at standing minus sitting FBP for boys and girls was 9.88% and 7.43% respectively. Severe asymmetry (ATR> or =7 degrees ) was found in 1.74% of boys and in 1.75% of girls at the standing and in 1.21% and 1.22% at the sitting FBP respectively. Analysing ATR by age it appears that significant TA changes occur between 8-9 years of age for boys and between 6-7 and 8-9 years for girls. The amount of trunk asymmetry in children is the indicator for referral and further orthopaedic assessment. This report provides, for the first time information about the variability of back morphology in "normal" juveniles which is worth knowing when a child is examined for juvenile scoliosis.
