About This Blog:
- According to a team of scientists at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, men and women are born with different spinal columns.
- Although most physicians know men and women have different spines, this research indicates the difference is present at birth, not over time with development, as previously believed.
- Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine explains the recent finding that men and women are born with different spines in this week’s blog.
Researchers at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles discovered boys and girls are born with different spines. Although this finding may not sound particularly mind-boggling, it contradicts the previous theory that spines in men and women change over time with age and certain life experiences, namely pregnancy. Results from this study have been published in the Journal of Pediatrics’ August issue and they suggest this difference is evolutionary.
The team of scientists at the hospital used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to analyze the male and female vertebrae in newborn spines. They found the vertebral cross-sectional dimensions (a determinant of vertebral strength) were 10.6% smaller in newborn females than males. Interestingly enough, human beings are the only mammals that have this difference between sexes, according to the report.
Although the scientists cannot conclusively explain why this anomaly occurs, they do believe it may have something to do with pregnancy. The smaller vertebrae could help women walk and maintain center or gravity better while bearing children. Chemical interactions from sex steroids, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factors during fetal stages of skeletal development are likely the cause of this phenomenon.
From the study, researchers also found women are 2-4 times more likely to experience a spinal fracture and/or develop osteoporosis as adults. To reduce the risk of either happening, it's important patients implement strong exercise and nutrition habits into their lives. Moreover, patients should be evaluated the minute they begin to feel pain symptoms associated with spinal fractures or osteoporosis.
Call NeuroMicroSpine or visit the “request an appointment” tab to schedule your appointment with Dr. Mark Giovanini today!
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit http://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.