BACKPACKS – LUMBAGO AFFECT ADOLESCENT AND CHILDREN: A REVIEW

OBJECTIVE Occurrence of Low Back Pain (LBP) at an early age, the associated causal factors and resulting consequences in adulthood have been an area of interest for many researchers around the globe. A systematic review in accordance with PRISMA was performed to explore the prevalence of LBP and significant role of carrying heavy backpacks as a risk factor among various others for developing mechanical low back pain among school going children. An electronic search of databases from 2000 to 2013 was carried out. The selected articles reported LBP due to mechanical loads in children and adolescents aged 9-18 years as main outcome. Our analysis was conducted on prevalence rates and associated risk factors. The results of the review revealed mostly the outcome measure based upon prevalence, risk factors of mechanical LBP and the association with backpack. Adolescent girls and children reported higher prevalence. The review reported the use of heavy backpack as dominant risk factor followed by psychological factors and physical inactivity. Only 1 study outlined incorrect posture and structural anomalies as the resulting cause. A positive correlation is found between heavy backpack and childhood LBP. The review exhibits a higher prevalence with increasing age.