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Aims To explore knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to musculoskeletal examination (MSKe) in one state of India. Methods Pediatricians from the state of Maharashtra (capital – Mumbai) were invited to complete an 11-item web-based survey. Participation implied consent and the survey was based on a similar UK study. All pediatricians from the state of Maharashtra ( n = 1523) were invited to participate; 223 pediatricians responded (response rate: 14.64%) with variable training in pediatrics and experience. Results Respondents reported similar time devoted within their consultations to management plan, history, and physical examination. Most ( n = 166, 74.44%) had been taught to examine the musculoskeletal system in children ( n = 82, 36.77%) or in both adults and children ( n = 84, 37.67%). However, MSKe was not part of their current routine practice, despite many ( n = 115, 51.57%) deeming this an important part of assessment. The majority ( n = 207, 92.82%) were very confident ( n = 7, 3.14%), or confident in some ( n = 120, 53.81%) or most ( n = 80, 35.87%) aspects of performing a structured MSKe, but were less confident with MSKe compared to other systems. Most ( n = 158, 70.85%) were unaware of pGALS (Pediatric Gait Arms Legs Spine) prior to the survey but many ( n = 204, 91.48%) were supportive of its inclusion within the curriculum for undergraduates and/or postgraduates, and expressed a desire to receive more information. Conclusions Many pediatricians are not confident in MSKe and are less confident compared to other bodily systems. There is need for greater training and awareness about the importance of MSKe at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. As a simple validated clinical skill, there is considerable potential to increase teaching of pGALS and thereby ultimately potentially improve MSKe performance in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: pGALS (pediatric Gait Arms Legs Spine) is a useful screening tool in identifying musculoskeletal problems in children. Although musculoskeletal problems are common in children, only a small fraction of them have an underlying serious pathology. There is limited data on this subject from north India but none from south India. Our aim was to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in school going boys in the local community. Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study among school boys 7–17 years of age from September 2017 to July 2019, in Chennai. The parents or the boys were asked pGALS screening questions and this was followed by the extended pGALS examination including Beighton's scoring for hypermobility. If abnormalities in the screening tool were found, the subjects were then referred to a pediatric rheumatologist for further evaluation. Results: A total of 1543 boys were included in this study. Of these 37% of the study group were found to be hypermobile. According to our study, the prevalence of growing pains was 4.6%. Of 2 boys with suspected pathology 1 boy had enthesitis-related arthritis and another had slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE). The estimated prevalence of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) was 65/100000. According to our study 12.3% of the children were obese. Conclusion: pGALS is a useful tool to screen for musculoskeletal problems in school going boys. The estimated prevalence of JIA was 65/100000. Of them, 37% of the children had hypermobility. Obese children were more likely to complain of musculoskeletal pain (P value 0.00). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]