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Perinatal factors associate with vertebral size and shape but not lumbar lordosis in 10‐year‐old children
Author(s) -
Pavlova Anastasia V.,
Jeffrey Janet E.,
Barr Rebecca J.,
Aspden Richard M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1469-7580
pISSN - 0021-8782
DOI - 10.1111/joa.13024
Subject(s) - medicine , lordosis , gestation , lumbar , confounding , gestational age , anatomy , pregnancy , radiography , surgery , biology , genetics
The intrauterine environment is known to influence foetal development and future health. Low birthweight has been linked to smaller vertebral canals in children and decreased adulthood spine bone mineral content. Perinatal factors affecting lumbar spine curvature have not yet been considered but could be important for adult spinal health, as lumbar movement during lifting, a risk factor for backpain, is associated with lordosis. To investigate this, lumbar spine magnetic resonance images at age 10 years and perinatal and maternal data (birthweight, placental weight, gestation length, crown‐heel length, maternal age, height, weight and smoking status) from 161 children born in Aberdeen in 1988–1989 were acquired. Statistical shape modelling, using principal component analysis, quantified variations in lumbar spine shape and resulting modes of variation were assessed in combination with perinatal data using correlations and analyses of covariance, adjusted for potential confounders. Spine modes 1–3 ( SM 1– SM 3) captured 75% of the variation in lumbar spine shape. The first and third modes described the total amount ( SM 1) and evenness of curvature distribution ( SM 3). SM 2 accounted for variations in antero‐posterior vertebral diameter relative to vertebral height, increasing positive scores representing a larger relative diameter. Adjusting for gestation length and sex, SM 2 positively correlated with birthweight ( r = 0.25, P < 0.01), placental weight ( r = 0.20, P = 0.04), crown‐heel length ( r = 0.36, P < 0.001) and maternal weight ( r = 0.19, P = 0.04), and negatively with maternal age ( r = −0.22, P = 0.02). SM 2 scores were lower in girls ( P < 0.001) and in the low birthweight group ( P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in SM 1 and SM 3 scores between birthweight groups, boys and girls or children of smokers (31%) and non‐smokers (69%). In conclusion, s ome perinatal factors were associated with vertebral body morphology but had little effect on lumbar curvature.