Scoliosis in Children

Many schools regularly conduct scoliosis screenings among students. Usually these screenings occur during the middle school years. If your child receives a referral for scoliosis based on a school screening, here are some facts you should know.

* Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that makes the spine look more like an "S" or "C" than a straight "l".

*Can cause the bones of the spine to turn (rotate) so that one shoulder or hip appears higher than the other.

*Can run in families, although the exact cause of most cases of scoliosis is unknown (idiopathic).

*Can occur at any age. Infantile scoliosis occurs in children less than 3 years old, and may result from a birth defect, disease of the nerves and muscles (such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy), injury, infection or tumors. Juvenile scoliosis occurs in children between the ages of 3 and 10 years old and is not common. Adolescent scoliosis occurs after the age of 10 years old and is the most common type.

*Does not usually cause any pain.

*Occurs about equally in boys and girls, but girls are more likely to have a severe, progressive curve that will require treatment.


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