Low back pain and risk factors during the third infancy

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is characterized as a pain in the area between the 12th rib and the low gluteal fold. This pain can affect different ages. During the growth peak, the postural control system is rearranged; therefore, the maintenance and fixation of these structures is crucial for the performance of daily activities. Thus, the prevalence of low back pain and their risk factors must be investigated, so that effective preventive measures against low back pain may be taken. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of low back pain and the risks associated to it during the third infancy, that is, children aged between 6 and 12 years old. Method: A transversal and observational study with 150 children of both genders, students from private institutions of Lavras, Minas Gerais, in 2016. Questionnaires were applied in order to understand the characteristics of the sample (age, gender, school year, ethnic group, parents’ educational level, means of transportation to go to school and situations that caused or aggravated low back pain) and their low back pain (in the last 12 months). Results: The rate of occurrence of low back pain in the senior year of school was 20%. According to the chi-squared, “school year” and “ethnic group” (pardos) were the variables associated to low back pain. Sitting, mainly in front of the computer, was reported to be the main cause of the symptoms. Conclusion: Low back pain presented a prevalence of 20% with no significant difference between genders, but there was an association of low back pain and variables related to the school year and the ethnic group.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Back Pain in Children and Adolescents from the Region of Murcia (Spain): ISQUIOS Programme

“…Another explanation could be that girls mature earlier than boys and that the hormonal changes that occur in the process alter their pain modulation and make them more susceptible to pain conditions [ 26 , 40 , 46 ]. In addition to these aspects, during pubertal development, children’s musculoskeletal structures are not mature enough to support the loads generated by growth, and this is also a critical period when most scoliosis or asymmetries of the body axis occur, which may contribute to the occurrence or increase in BP [ 18 , 46 ]. However, further research is needed to determine what circumstances during the onset of puberty may lead to an increase in reports of BP in girls.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that the musculoskeletal structures of children at peak height velocity (PHV) are not mature enough to support the sudden mechanical load changes in the spine caused by the difference in growth rates between the legs and trunk, with the long bones of the legs experiencing a growth peak before the shorter bones of the trunk [ 18 , 19 ]. The development of muscles and the adaptation of ligaments and tendons to these new stresses also do not occur at the same rate.…”

Prevalence of Low Back Pain in a Sample of Primary School Students

“…A systematic review with participants aged between nine and sixteen showed a lifetime prevalence of 38.98% (11.60-85.56) [27]. Conversely, other studies have reported a 23% prevalence among children of the same age range (9.7 ± 2.3; n = 267) [28], 20% (n = 30) in a cohort of children between the ages of six and twelve [29], 5-7% in a younger cohort of boys and girls aged six to nine [30], and 9.01% (n = 36) in a cohort of students of 9.3 ± 1.87 (age interval 6-14 years) [31].…”

Prevalence of Low Back Pain among Primary School Students from the City of Valencia (Spain)

“…A systematic review with participants aged between nine and sixteen showed a lifetime prevalence of 38.98% (11.60–85.56) [ 27 ]. Conversely, other studies have reported a 23% prevalence among children of the same age range (9.7 ± 2.3; n = 267) [ 28 ], 20% ( n = 30) in a cohort of children between the ages of six and twelve [ 29 ], 5–7% in a younger cohort of boys and girls aged six to nine [ 30 ], and 9.01% ( n = 36) in a cohort of students of 9.3 ± 1.87 (age interval 6–14 years) [ 31 ].…”