Determinants of Trunk Abnormalities in Adolescence

Background The relationship between gender, anthropometric factors, adolescent growth, maturation and incidence of trunk abnormalities was studied in 2819 children who were symmetric at baseline examination. Method At age 11 years and at age 13 years, data on height, weight, onset of adolescent growth spurt, pubertal phase and menarche were collected and examination for trunk abnormalities was performed. Data analysis included calculation of 2-year cumulative incidence and relative risks (RR) of trunk abnormalities. Results Two-year cumulative incidence was 11%. The RR for boys was 0.78 (95% confidence interval (Cl): 0.63–0.96) compared to girls. Height was the strongest predictor for the development of trunk abnormalities in both sexes. The RR increased after adjustment for weight, onset of growth spurt, pubertal phase, and menarche. The RR was higher for girls with onset of adolescent growth spurt compared to girls who had not yet started their adolescent growth spurt (RR= 1.45, 95% Cl: 1.08–1.95). For girls who had reached menarche, the RR was 0.48 (95% Cl: 0.24–0.96) compared to those who had not reached menarche. Conclusions Our findings suggest that taller 11 year old girls with onset of adolescent growth spurt have increased risk of future trunk abnormalities, but that having reached menarche has a protective effect.