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© 1995 Oxford University Press

research-article

Left Handedness and Risk of Thoracic Hyperkyphosis in Prepubertal Schoolchildren

MAUNU NISSINEN*, MARKKU HELIÖVAARA**, JORMA SEITSAMO{dagger} and MIKKO POUSSA{ddagger}

*Laakso Hospital Laakarinkatu 8, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland
**National Public Health Institute and Social Insurance Institution Helsinki, Finland
{dagger}Institute of Occupational Health
{ddagger}Orthopedic Hospital of Invalid Foundation Helsinki Finland

BACKGROUND: Hand dominance and spinal posture were studied for their prediction of the development of thoracic hyper-kyphosis during the puberial growth spurt.

METHODS: The cohort consisted of all the fourth-grade school children of the Western School District of Helsinki, Finland, in the spring of 1986. They were examined annually from the mean age of 10.8 to 13.8 years. Handedness was determined at the baseline examination by observing the hand with which the child was writing. Anthropometric measurements, posture and growth were followed-up annually. A lateral standing radiograph was undertaken in those children who had pronounced thoracic kyphosis in spinal pantography. Kyphotic angles ≥45° were considered hyperkyphotic.

RESULTS: In both girls and boys, left handedness was found to be a powerful determinant of hyperkyphosis. In left handed children the odds ratio (OR), adjusted for baseline spinal measurements, was 4.11 (95% confidence interval [Cl]: 1.39–12.13). Hump size measured by the forward bending test also predicted significantly the development of thoracic hyperkyphosis(OR = 1.48; 95% Cl: 1.23–1.76, per one degree).

CONCLUSIONS: Left handedness may be a risk factor for thoracic hyperkyphosis during the pubertal growth spurt.

Keywords adolescence, handedness, posture, risk factors, spinal pantography, thoraclc kyphosis

Revised 1 April 1995


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