Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study
- PMID: 32635579
- PMCID: PMC7370191
- DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134830
Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study
Abstract
Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is an endocrine disease with a precocious significant impairment of growth and neuromotor development. Thyroid hormones are essential for central nervous system development, maturation, and myelination. Furthermore, thyroid hormone deficiency affects the function of several systems, including the musculoskeletal system. The disease has a significant incidence in the general population (1:3000-1:2000 newborns in Italy). The aim of the present study was to evaluate any differences in upper and lower limb strength, body sway, and plantar loading distribution in children with CH compared to healthy children.
Methods: In this study, the case group was composed of children with CH (CHG), while the control group included healthy children (CG). Both groups comprised 19 children (CHG: female = 12; CG: female = 9). The maximum isometric handgrip strength and explosive-elastic lower limb strength were assessed with the handgrip test and the Sargent test, respectively. The stabilometric and baropodometric analyses were used to measure the Center of Pressure displacements and the plantar loading distribution between feet, respectively. The differences between groups were analyzed by a univariate analysis of covariance using as covariates weight and height with the significant level set at < 0.05.
Results: We found that CHG children were shorter and thinner than CG ones (p < 0.05). No significant difference in the upper and lower limb strength was found between groups. CHG exhibited a significant greater Sway Path Length (p < 0.01) and Ellipse Surface (p < 0.05) than CG. Moreover, CHG displayed an asymmetric plantar loading distribution with a significant lower percentage in the right than in the left foot (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant lower plantar loading percentage in the right foot of CHG than in the right foot of CG was observed (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: These findings seem to suggest that CH does not affect muscle strength in early treated children. However, these patients show poor postural control ability and asymmetric plantar loading distribution. Increasing the physical activity in these children could improve their body posture.
Keywords: Sargent test; body sway; congenital hypothyroidism; handgrip test; muscle strength; plantar pressure; posture.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Figures
Similar articles
-
Investigating prismatic adaptation effects in handgrip strength and in plantar pressure in healthy subjects.Gait Posture. 2020 Feb;76:264-269. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.12.022. Epub 2019 Dec 23. Gait Posture. 2020. PMID: 31881480
-
The relationship between foot posture and plantar pressure during walking in adults: A systematic review.Gait Posture. 2018 May;62:56-67. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.02.026. Epub 2018 Feb 23. Gait Posture. 2018. PMID: 29524798 Review.
-
Low-frequency force steadiness practice in plantar flexor muscle reduces postural sway during quiet standing.J Physiol Anthropol. 2011;30(6):233-9. doi: 10.2114/jpa2.30.233. J Physiol Anthropol. 2011. PMID: 22197956 Clinical Trial.
-
The effect of plantar flexor muscle fatigue on postural control.J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2011 Dec;21(6):922-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2011.08.005. Epub 2011 Sep 13. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2011. PMID: 21917475
-
Immediate effects of plantar inputs on the upper half muscles and upright posture: a preliminary study.Cranio. 2006 Jan;24(1):50-9. doi: 10.1179/crn.2006.009. Cranio. 2006. PMID: 16541846 Clinical Trial.
Cited by
-
Balance and Weight Distribution over the Lower Limbs Following Calcaneal Fracture Treatment with the Ilizarov Method.J Clin Med. 2024 Mar 14;13(6):1676. doi: 10.3390/jcm13061676. J Clin Med. 2024. PMID: 38541901 Free PMC article.
-
"Neuroimmunoendocrinology" in Children with Rheumatic Diseases: How Glucocorticoids Are the Orchestra Director.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Aug 25;24(17):13192. doi: 10.3390/ijms241713192. Int J Mol Sci. 2023. PMID: 37685999 Free PMC article. Review.
References
-
- Maciel L.M., Kimura E.T., Nogueira C.R., Mazeto G.M., Magalhaes P.K., Nascimento M.L., Nesi-Franca S., Vieira S.E., Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Congenital hypothyroidism: Recommendations of the Thyroid Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Arq. Bras. Endocrinol. Metabol. 2013;57:184–192. doi: 10.1590/S0004-27302013000300004. - DOI - PubMed
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical