Researchers from the Pediatric Spine Study Group analyzed outcomes of 663 children with early-onset scoliosis treated with magnetically controlled growing rods and found that preoperative body mass index (BMI) did not affect curve correction, thoracic height gain, or health-related quality of life over a minimum two-year follow-up. Mean curve correction ranged from 31% to 35% across underweight, healthy weight, and overweight groups, with similar thoracic growth outcomes. However, overweight patients had higher complication rates, including more frequent implant breakage and wound complications. These findings suggest that while BMI does not alter radiographic or functional outcomes, it is an important factor in complication risk stratification and perioperative management.

Source: Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics