OBJECTIVE:To compare thoracic musculoskeletal static alterations in adolescents born
prematurely with those born at term and investigate neonatal and post-neonatal
variables associated with thoracic alterations. METHOD:This is a cross-sectional study with 57 adolescents aged 10-15 years born
prematurely and 57 adolescents born at term paired by gender and age. Photographs
of the head and thorax in the front, back, and right side views were studied using
a computer program. The two groups were compared in regards to: elevation of
clavicles, elevation of shoulders, protrusion of the head, and anteroposterior and
mediolateral thoracic length. Factor associated with thoracic disorders were
evaluated by linear regression analysis. RESULTS:The Preterm group had mean gestational age of 32.0±2.8 weeks and the birth weight
was 1462±338 and 3342±430 g for the Preterm and Term adolescents, respectively.
Preterm adolescents had higher elevation of the left shoulder
(22.7±5.4o vs. 20.6±5.3o;sim, p=0.038) and the right
shoulder (22.2±4.4o vs. 18.5±5.7o; p<0.001). Smaller
protrusion of the head (27.8±6.1o vs. 32.4±7.9o; p=0.008),
mediolateral thoracic length (22.9±2.3 cm vs. 25.1±3.1 cm; p<0.001) and
anteroposterior thoracic length (19.7±2.2 cm vs. 21.1±3.4 cm; p<0.001) were
found in preterm adolescents. By multiple regression analysis, factors associated
with higher shoulder elevation were birth weight <1500 g (p<0.001) and
mechanical ventilation during neonatal period >5 days (p=0.009). CONCLUSION:Adolescents born prematurely presented greater thoracic musculoskeletal static
alterations compared to those born at term. Factors associated with these
alterations were: very low birth weight and longer duration of mechanical
ventilation in the neonatal unit.
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