Multiplier Method for Predicting the Sitting Height Growth at Maturity: A Database Analysis

Children (Basel). 2022 Nov 17;9(11):1763. doi: 10.3390/children9111763.

Abstract

This study aims to develop multipliers for the spine and sitting height to predict sitting height at maturity. With the aid of longitudinal and cross-sectional clinical databases, we divided the total sitting height, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar lengths at skeletal maturity by these same four factors at each age for each percentile given. A series of comparisons were then carried out between the multipliers as well as the percentiles and the varied racial and ethnic groups within them. Regarding sitting height, there was little variability and correlated with the multipliers calculated for the thoracic and lumbar spine. The multiplier method has demonstrated accuracy that is not influenced by generation, percentile, race, and ethnicity. This multiplier can be used to anticipate mature sitting height, the heights of the thoracic, cervical, and lumbar spine, as well as the lack of spinal growth after spinal fusion surgery in skeletally immature individuals.

Keywords: lumbar spine; skeletal maturity height; spine growth prediction; thoracic spine.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.