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 Fifty-two 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.