Lumbar spine morphology in 10 year old children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Lumbar spine morphology in 10 year old children; with reference to antenatal, obstetric and nutritional factors, and sex.
IRAS ID
133750
Contact name
Richard M. Aspden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen & NHS Grampian
Research summary
Previous studies carried out in Aberdeen examined magnetic resonance images of the lower (lumbar) spine of 10 year old children and showed that the size of the vertebral canal (through which the spinal cord passes) was reduced with low birth weight. A smaller lumbar spinal canal increases the risk of spinal stenosis, leg and back pain in later life. Antenatal, nutritional and obstetric (pregnancy related) factors were also analysed and maternal smoking was found to have a negative effect on the size of the canal. The effect on the lumbar spine as a whole remains unknown. Environmental factors in the uterus, such as maternal smoking are suggested to affect foetal movement. It is believed that mechanical stimuli which result from muscular contractions due to foetal movement can affect osteoblast and osteoclast activity in the spine, determining the course and sequence of ossificaton. This may have consequences for the dimensions and shape of individual spinal vertebrae and therefore the shape of the spine as a whole.
Following those studies a new method called active shape modelling (ASM) has since been developed, which gives precise and accurate measures of spine shape. we propose to extend the previous studies and use this method on the existing images to make measurements of the whole lumbar spine, including the size and shape of the vertebrae and curvature of the spine. We will investigate the affect of antenatal factors on the overall lumbar spine shape. Furthermore, we will explore potential differences in the curvature of the spine between pre-pubertal girls and boys. This will add to our understanding of variations in spinal shapes in young children, which might provide indicators of increased risk for future low back pain.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
13/NS/0162
Date of REC Opinion
19 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion