title: Prevalence of scoliosis in school-children from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
abstract: In the school-year 2002/2003 a prospective epidemiological study was performed with the aim of evaluating the prevalence and distribution of scoliosis in the population of schoolchildren from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The general check-up of primary-school children covered a total of 2,517 children aged 7-14. The children in which at least one positive symptom of scoliosis was found were directed to undergo orthopedic examination and--if indicated--radiography. Incorrect posture was noted in 33.4% of children, and 11.8% of children were sent to orthopedic specialist examination. The prevalence of structural scoliosis amounted to 3.1%, with the spine curvature threshold being 10 degrees. In eight children (0.32%; 1 boy and 7 girls) a curvature of 20 degrees or more was diagnosed. The most common type of curvature was the thoracal (39%) and the thoraco-lumbar (39%) while 14 children had a double curvature (17.8%). A scoliosis was detected due to here performed check-up in 83.5% of children with scoliosis. No case of serious spine deformity (45 degree or more) was recorded, due to regular general check-ups taking place biannually in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Zdenko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ostojić
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kristo
authors.forename: Ljerka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ostojić
authors.forename: Pavao
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petrović
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vasilj
authors.forename: Zarko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Santić
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maslov
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vasilj
authors.forename: Davor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carić
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011187:Posture; D015995:Prevalence; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy