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Posture disorder in children: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Posture is the habitual position of the body of a person standing at ease. Correct or physiological posture is characterized by a symmetrical arrangement of the shoulder girdle, shoulder blades, wings and spines of the pelvis, as well as other protruding bony landmarks of the human body.
The axis of the spine coincides with the plumb line. When examining from the side, physiological curves of the spine are noted, which are formed as the child's motor development progresses: holding the head, sitting, standing and walking - cervical and lumbar lordosis, in the thoracic region - moderately pronounced kyphosis.
Postural disorders in children are noted both in the frontal (when viewed from the front and back) and in the sagittal plane (when viewed from the side).
What causes poor posture in children?
The causes of posture disorders may be various unfavorable factors leading to decreased muscle tone: poorly developed back and abdominal muscles, constitutional features of the skeletal structure, consequences of somatic diseases, poor vision or hearing, nutritional and sleep disorders. In addition, the following are important: the discrepancy between the desk and the child's age and height, a soft bed, a stereotype of an incorrect sitting position, imitation of the incorrect posture of others, etc. In case of posture disorders, no structural changes in the skeleton and bone tissue of the vertebrae are detected.
Where does it hurt?
Types of posture disorders in children?
Children often have posture disorders in the frontal plane. The term was proposed at the Turner Scientific Research Children's Orthopedic Institute. When examining a child in the frontal plane (i.e. from the front and back), asymmetry of the shoulder girdle, shoulder blades, and lateral deviation of the spine are noted. These signs are also characteristic of a spinal disease - scoliosis. However, with posture disorders in the frontal plane, there are no cardinal symptoms of scoliosis caused by pathological rotation of the spine: no costal hump or muscle ridge in the lumbar region is clinically detected, no signs of torsion are detected radiologically, and the projection of the vertebral arches on both sides is symmetrical. Most often, posture disorders are detected during periods of "growth spurts" - at the age of 6-7 years and during puberty.
Posture disorders in the sagittal plane - stooped posture, round back, round-concave and flat back - are manifested by changes in the magnitude of the physiological curves of the spine and are diagnosed when examining the child from the front and side.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Treatment of posture disorders in children?
Any posture disorders detected in a child require periodic observation by a pediatrician or orthopedist. It is necessary to identify and eliminate the cause of the pathological posture, prescribe the child a rational diet, a daily routine and walks, a general strengthening massage, therapeutic exercises to form a healthy posture and strengthen the muscular corset. Swimming and sports activities give good results in forming correct posture.
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