Prevalence of Forward Head Posture and Protracted Shoulders in Mouth Breathing Children During Day Time and During Sleep of Age 8-12 Years in Nashik-a Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction

Mouth breathing (MB) leads to a mechanically incorrect form of respiration. Children with MB demonstrate difficulties in concentration, low scholarly yields, increased daytime sleeping, and a disturbed quality of life. The type of mouth breathing also affects these factors. There was a need to study mouth breathing, along with its types to determine its effect on posture of head and shoulders in this age group to plan corrective strategies in the area of child health which is why this study was taken up.

Aim

To find out the prevalence of forward head posture and protracted shoulders in mouth breathing children during day time and during sleep of age 8-12 years in Nashik, Maharashtra, India.

Methods

In this cross sectional study, 42 Children in the age group 8-12 years were screened with ‘Clinical recognition of mouth breathing questionnaire’;30 Mouth breathers and 12 Nasal breathers were identified. MB’s were classified as MBD and MBS using ‘Questionnaire for mouth breathing’.12 children were identified as MBD and 18 as MBS. Head and shoulder posture of children was analysed in form of CVA and SH.

Results

MBS(60%)was more prevalent than MBD(40%).Out of MBS,72.22% had FHP with prevalence of PS being 72.22%.In MBD 58.3% had FHP with prevalence of PS being 66.60%.Also,FHP and PS was more prevalent in children who were MBS.

Conclusion

Among mouth breathers, the prevalence of MBS is 60%,and that of MBD is 40%.The prevalence of FHP and PS is highest among children with MBS(72.22%).The prevalence of FHP was highest among the male children (72.77%)whereas shoulder position was most affected in female children at 75%.