Interpopliteal distance percentiles to diagnose bowleg in 0–84 month-old Turkish children

The purpose of this study was to determine the percentiles of interpopliteal distance to diagnose bowleg in 0–6 year-old children. Measurement of interpopliteal distance is a simple but valuable indicator in clinical examination to diagnose bowleg. We analyzed data from the anthropometry of Turkish children aged 0–6 years. The primary sampling unit included 21 family health centers (Aile Sagligi Merkezi) located in the city center and suburbs of Kayseri, Turkey. A total of 2,873 children and adolescents (1,419 boys, 1,454 girls), whose parents gave consent were included in the study. The smoothed percentiles and Z-scores were calculated by age and gender in 0–6 year-old children in quarter year intervals except for the 0–28-day newborn period. We found a significant correlation (r: 0.60, p < 0.001) between body weight and interpopliteal distance (after onset of walking). We consider that percentiles of interpopliteal distance can be used in the follow-up of children who may be at risk of bone and growth disorders. The zone between −2 standard deviation (SD) and +2SD values can be used to decide if the child has a normal growth pattern.