Trunk Muscle Endurance, Joint Hypermobility and Postural Alignment in Children with Anorectal Malformation: A Case–Control Study

Background and Objectives: Evaluation of trunk muscle endurance, joint hypermobility and postural alignment in children with anorectal malformation (ARM) may provide useful information for planning comprehensive rehabilitation planning. This study aimed to examine trunk muscle endurance, joint hypermobility and postural alignmentture in children with ARM and to compare these parameters with those of healthy children. Methods: This study included 42 children, comprising children with ARM (ARM group, n = 20) and healthy children (control group, n = 22). Trunk muscle endurance was assessed with the McGill Trunk Muscle Endurance Tests, joint hypermobility with the Beighton Hypermobility Score (BHS) and postural alignment with the PostureScreen Mobile® application. Independent-samples t-tests, chi-square tests, and Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction were used for statistical analysis. Results: Trunk flexion, extension, and right lateral flexion endurance scores were significantly lower in the ARM group than in the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, BHS was significantly higher in children with ARM (p = 0.008), and the prevalence of joint hypermobility was greater in the ARM group than in the control group. Right head shift, right head tilt angle, right shoulder shift, right hip shift, and left shoulder shift were significantly greater in the ARM group than in the healthy controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Children with ARM demonstrated reduced trunk muscle endurance, greater joint hypermobility, and selective differences in postural alignment compared with healthy controls. Therefore, assessment of trunk muscle endurance, joint hypermobility, postural alignment, and lumbopelvic function may be considered in children with ARM, with individualized rehabilitation provided when clinically indicated.