Abstract

FERREIRA, Dalva Minonroze Albuquerque et al. School screening for scoliosis: action for early diagnosis. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2009, vol.19, n.3, pp. 357-368. ISSN 0104-1282.

Most cases of scoliosis, appear at the vertebral stage of accelerated growth , and that makes children and adolescents potentially at greator risk to develop them. This study aimed to detect the scoliosis prevalence in schoolchildren in a public school and correlate the spinal deformity measurement with radiological diagnosis. For this reason, clinical examination was conducted in 104 students (72.11% female), aged 11 to 17 years, through a non-invasive method of spinal deformity measurement. This method uses a tool adapted to a water level, rulers and Adams' test. When detected thoracic spinal deformities > 8.0 mm and / or lumbar > 5.0 mm the subject was referred to a doctor for radiological scoliosis confirmation, by measuring the Cobb's angle and the vertebral rotation. Statistical analysis was performed by frequencies distribution and Pearson linear correlation coefficient analysis was used for the clinical and radiological measurements. Of the 104 students, 46 subjects had significant spinal deformity, and of these, 18 had a radiography. The correlation values indicated that the thoracic and the thoracolumbar spinal deformity correlate better with the Cobb's angle, and the lumbar spinal deformity correlate better with the vertebral rotation. It is possible to conclude that there is a high scoliosis prevalence by spinal deformity measurement, and the Adams' test can be useful in early detection of scoliosis, but still needs to be confirmed by radiography.

Keywords : spine; rotation; mass screening; school health.

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