Predicting scoliosis progression in children and adolescents measuring serotonin blood level

Abstract

Introduction Idiopathic scoliosis is associated with severe spinal deformity, and prediction of scoliosis progression is important in the early stages for prevention and treatment. The objective was to identify the relationship between the serotonin blood level in children and adolescents aged 4 to 15 years and progressing scoliosis grades I-II over a five-year period. Material and methods Eighty-six children and adolescents with impaired posture and scoliosis were assigned to 3 groups according to clinical and radiological data and the serotonin level, the course of scoliosis, and the parameters were measured during 5 years. Results A significant increase in the medians, interquartile intervals of serotonin levels and the curve angle was observed in the group of progressive scoliosis with higher rates seen in girls. Significant differences in the serotonin serum level were observed in the groups. Correlation analysis showed a weak relationship between the serotonin level and the curve evaluated radiologically in patients with non‑progressive scoliosis with an increase in the relationship to moderate in the progression group at 5 years. The analysis of the diagnostic efficiency of the serotonin blood level in patients with different course of scoliosis revealed the good quality of the prognostic test. Discussion The serotonin serum level had a statistically significant relationship with the progression of the curve examined radiologically. Conclusion A laboratory marker indicating progression of the curvature in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis was identified. The marker included an increased serotonin blood level of greater than 270 ng/ml. The marker appeared to be practical because it could 1) be measured in the blood of children and adolescents; 2) show the dynamics in the increased serotonin level correlating with radiographic findings of the spine; and 3) indicate to the neurohumoral state of a growing body with the pathology under study. The serotonin blood level can be a marker of progressive scoliosis. The findings have been protected by an invention patent.