New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery researchers studied the effect of using bone morphogenetic proteins in pediatric spinal fusion. The FDA has not approved BMP use in children, however, up to 17 percent of pediatric spinal fusions use BMP off-label.
Researchers pulled Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System data for New York. The study included 7,312 children and adolescents who underwent spinal fusion between 2004 and 2014.
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics published the study. Researchers also presented the study at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting in San Diego on March 14, 2017.
Here are four insights:
1. Of the patients, 6.7 percent received BMP.
2. Researchers noted BMP use was greater in children who were older, white or of a higher socioeconomic status.
3. The study authors concluded BMP use did not improve pediatric spinal fusion revision rates.
4. Based on their study, researchers caution against using BMP in pediatric spinal fusion.