ASPECTS OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS. LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

AIS is a very common condition amongst adolescents in Bulgaria, and it has no effective prophylaxis, because of its unknown etiology. Few factors possibly play a role in the etiopathogenesis, one of which is the lifestyle, and more specifically the levels of some nutrients, and the anthropometrics. These aspects can be described as parts of the nutritional status of the patients with AIS. Numerous studies find a high incidence of vit. D deficiency amongst AIS patients(75-97%). Significantly higher compared to control groups. Few studies also find a negative correlation between the progression of the disease and bone density, and calcium levels respectively. Majority of the studies show that, when compared with a control population, scoliotic patients had a significantly lower mean body weight, lower BMI, lower fat and lean mass. The low lean body mass is suggested by some studies as the main contributor. One recent cohort study shows that the low anthropometrical indicators appear first, suggesting their possible role in the etiopathogenesis.