Back-Carrying in Children Is Related to Lower Limb Development

Back-carrying of children is a culturally accepted method of transport and safekeeping of babies in many cultures. Developmental consequences related to back-carrying practices have not been directly investigated. This study determined the relationship between frontal and transverse plane lower limb (LL) development, and back-carrying practices, in black Setswana-speaking children. In 691 2- to 9-year-old Setswana-speaking children, the tibiofemoral angle, intermalleolar distance, femoral anteversion angle (AVA) and tibial torsion angle (TTA), were measured to determine LL development. Back-carrying practices were recorded with a questionnaire and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) was used for the analyses. Significant ( p p p p < 0.001) were observed in children back-carried more frequently than children back-carried less frequently. There are relationships between back-carrying practices and LL development in both the frontal and transverse plane. However, the genu valgum, internal TTA and smaller AVA noted in more frequently back-carried children is still within normal limits, thus no educational intervention in back-carrying methods or durations is required. Further research should determine the exact back-carrying practice factors (age until which the child is back-carried) impacting lower limb development the greatest

Genu Valgum · Low back pain · Physical therapy · Bone fractures and treatments · Injury Epidemiology and Prevention · Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies · Medicine · Orthodontics