Estimation of standing height in spina bifida: model development and validation

Author(s)

Bertapelli, Fabio ; Leonardi-Figueiredo, Marisa Maia ; Martins, Emanuela Juvenal ; de Baptista, Cyntia Rogean de Jesus Alves ; Mattiello-Sverzut, Ana Claudia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Jornal de Pediatria; v. 100, n. 6, p. 7-pg., 2024-10-01.

Abstract

Objective: Childhood standing height has been estimated from arm span-related (height(AS)) models. The authors aimed to develop and cross-validate a height(AS) model in individuals with spina bifida (SB) and examine the accuracy of existing height(AS) models. Methods: Participants were individuals with sacral and low-lumbar SB (n = 14) and non-SB (n = 83), 7-16 years old. Arm span, age, sex, and group (SB vs. non-SB) were candidate height predictors. Sequential regression and leave-one-out cross-validation approaches were used for the model development (M1) and cross-validation (M1-M5). Existing models were: an SB-specific model from Polfuss et al. (M2) and non-SB specific models from Gauld et al. (M3), Mulu et al. (M4), and Zverev et al. (M5) studies. Results: Arm span and group explained 95 % of the variance in height (R-2 = 0.95; p < 0.001; SEE = 3.666 cm) and were included in the M1. Mean differences between actual and estimated height were 0.0 cm (M1), 0.4 cm (M2), and 0.5 cm (M5), all not significant (p > 0.05). However, Bland-Altman analysis revealed some variability in the predictability of the models across participants with limits of agreement ranging from 7.4 to 10.9 cm. Considerable errors were observed with M3 (mean diff: -5.58 cm, 95 % CI: -1.6, -20.2 cm), and M4 (mean diff: 10.5 cm, 95 % CI: -13.8, -27.3 cm). Conclusions: Models (M1, M2 and M5) may accurately estimate standing height in groups of children with SB. However, due to the wide limits of agreement, caution is recommended when applying these models for individual height estimations. (c) 2024 Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. on behalf of Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/00099-6 - Perception of Effort (OMNI) for children and adolescents with chronic neurological diseases - validation of the adapted version of the scale for children and adolescents using wheelchairs
• Grantee: Fábio Bertapelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/17596-4 - Aerobic capacity, muscle strength and power of children and adolescents with chronic disease: characterization and treatment
• Grantee: Ana Cláudia Mattiello-Sverzut
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants