The effects of repetitive haemarthrosis on postural balance in children with haemophilia

Sensory information from visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems is necessary to control posture and balance. Impairment in proprioception due to repetitive joints bleeding may lead to a deficit in postural balance which, in turn, leads to high joint stress and risk of bleeding recurrence. Despite the increase in attention in this field during the past few years, the data concerning to how bleeds can affect postural control in children with haemophilia (CWH) remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the postural balance in CWH. Twenty CWH Haemophilia Group (HG) and 20 age-matched children Control Group (CG) were recruited to this study. A force plate was used to record centre of pressure (COP) displacement under four different postural conditions during quiet standing: eyes open on firm surface, eyes open on foam surface, eyes closed on firm surface and eyes closed on a foam surface. Variables of COP as sway area and mean velocity and in anterior-posterior (y) medio-lateral (x) direction were processed and for each variable sensory, quotients were calculated and compared between groups. No differences were found in visual and vestibular quotients variables between groups. A higher value was found in sway area variable on proprioception quotient in the HG when compared with CG (P=0.042). CWH with repetitive joint bleed on lower limbs showed differences in postural balance when compared with non-haemophiliac children. The identification of early balance impairments in CWH can help us understand better the effects of bleeds inside joints on postural control and plan a more effective preventive and rehabilitative treatment.