What we do
About our project
Back pain is a common problem and already present in children and adolescents, but the etiology of these complaints is often unknown. Structural spinal abnormalities and shape variations might play a role and have been shown in children on MRI, but research in general populations is scarce.
We hypothesize that the presence of structural abnormalities in the spine is associated with higher weight status of pre-pubertal children. Furthermore we expect structural abnormalities to be associated with a U-shaped physical activity pattern in these children.
For this project data from the Generation R Study will be used, a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life onwards. The Generation R Study includes a total of 9749 children and their mothers. Our study population consists of all 4240 children who participated in the 10-year-old measurements, including a MRI of the spine, and their mothers. For each child the MRI of the spine will be examined and scored for structural abnormalities. Information about weight status and physical activity is available from questionnaires and physical examination of both mother and child.
We hypothesize that the presence of structural abnormalities in the spine is associated with higher weight status of pre-pubertal children. Furthermore we expect structural abnormalities to be associated with a U-shaped physical activity pattern in these children.
For this project data from the Generation R Study will be used, a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life onwards. The Generation R Study includes a total of 9749 children and their mothers. Our study population consists of all 4240 children who participated in the 10-year-old measurements, including a MRI of the spine, and their mothers. For each child the MRI of the spine will be examined and scored for structural abnormalities. Information about weight status and physical activity is available from questionnaires and physical examination of both mother and child.
Our research focus
Primary outcome
The primary outcome is the prevalence of several structural spinal abnormalities and shape variations in children aged 10 years.
Secondary outcomes
Secondary outcomes are the associations of these spinal abnormalities and the spinal shape with the children’s weight status (e.g. BMI-z, fat mass), and physical activity (measured by actigraphy and questionnaires).
The primary outcome is the prevalence of several structural spinal abnormalities and shape variations in children aged 10 years.
Secondary outcomes
Secondary outcomes are the associations of these spinal abnormalities and the spinal shape with the children’s weight status (e.g. BMI-z, fat mass), and physical activity (measured by actigraphy and questionnaires).
Funds & Grants
EUR Fellowship 2017
Collaborations
Generation R Study Group
Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Our team
Dr. M. van Middelkoop (co-promotor), m.vanmiddelkoop@erasmusmc.nl
Dr. E.H.G. Oei (co-promotor), e.oei@erasmusmc.nl
M.M. van den Heuvel, MSc, m.m.vandenheuvel@erasmusmc.nl
Drs. J.J.M. Renkens, j.renkens@erasmusmc.nl
Prof. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra (promotor), s.bierma-zeinstra@erasmusmc.nl
Contact address for the project: m.m.vandenheuvel@erasmusmc.nl.
Dr. E.H.G. Oei (co-promotor), e.oei@erasmusmc.nl
M.M. van den Heuvel, MSc, m.m.vandenheuvel@erasmusmc.nl
Drs. J.J.M. Renkens, j.renkens@erasmusmc.nl
Prof. S.M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra (promotor), s.bierma-zeinstra@erasmusmc.nl
Contact address for the project: m.m.vandenheuvel@erasmusmc.nl.
