Growing-Rod Implantation Improves Nutrition Status of Early-Onset Scoliosis Patients: A Case Series Study of Minimum 3-Year Follow-Up

Background: Early onset scoliosis (EOS) may cause malnutrition in affected patients. Growing-rod treatment has been an effective protocol for treating EOS. The objective of this study is to demonstrate whether growing-rod treatment improves nutritional status of EOS patients. Methods: 52 EOS patients who had dual growing-rod surgery was enrolled. The minimum follow-up was 3-years. Their body weights were normalized based on the data of two National Population Census of China. Z-scores were used to indicate the standard deviation from the median body weight-for-age. Results: The median follow-up time was 6 years. Preoperatively, the prevalence of malnutrition (Z<-2) was 21.2%, and reduced to 9.6% at the end of the follow-up. Preoperatively, the average Z-score was -0.94, and it increased to -0.65 at the latest follow-up (p<0.05). Patients with preoperative Z-score below -1 had more significant increase of Z-scores (-2.15 vs -1.26, p<0.001). A significant negative correlation between the change of Z-score and the preoperative Z-score (correlation coefficient -0.65, p<0.001). Conclusions: The growing rod surgery and lengthening procedures significantly improves the nutrition status of EOS patients. The body weight gains are more significant in patients with lower body weights.