Carrying Angle Variation in Relation to Gender Among Children: An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Carrying angle is the angle formed at the elbow joint during full extension and supination of arm and forearm which increases with increasing age till 14 years. This study measures the carrying angle variation with gender which can be beneficial for pediatricians in diagnosis, treatment planning of the related cases.

Methods: The study was conducted 70 patients of Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital at Sinamangal and Duwakot between 15 December 2023 to 30 December 2023 after getting the ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (reference no. KMC-IRC 08122023/02) with convenience sampling method. The carrying angle was measured by manual goniometer by drawing the axes in the arm and forearm. The data obtained was analyzed in different age groups and body mass index between boys and girls. The data was analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25.

Results: Out of 70 participants, 38(54.29%) were boys and 32(45.71%) were girls. The mean carrying angle among girls in right side was 10.53±2.52 degrees and 9.05±3.71 degrees for boys (p=0.06). Similarly, on left side it was 10.15±2.37 degrees for girls and 8.76±2.96 degrees for boys (p=0.036).

Conclusions: The Carrying angle on both sides was found to be increased among female children in comparison to male irrespective of different age and BMI groups.