Spinal curves in kids

At some point during your child's school years, you'll probably have to sign a slip permitting him or her to be screened for scoliosis. While the back condition may not typically be top of mind, this little screening might get you thinking. So, while most schools and pediatricians' offices keep an eye on growing backs, here's what parents should know about this spinal condition.

Spinal curves are more common than you may think.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curve of the spine which, if severe enough, can cause pain or cosmetic concerns. According to the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, scoliosis affects 2-3% of all children (up to 1 in 30). In most cases it's idiopathic, meaning there's no obvious cause.

"Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis happens to normal, healthy kids," said Kevin Neal, MD, a board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeon with Nemours Children's Health in Jacksonville, and chief of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at Wolfson Children's Hospital. "It's likely genetic and can run in families, but it can also happen out of the blue. It typically occurs while children are growing."

There are other types of scoliosis, like congenital and neuromuscular. Children with congenital scoliosis develop a spinal deformity in the womb, while neuromuscular scoliosis is a curvature of the spine caused by another underlying neuromuscular condition, like muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.

You can monitor your child's scoliosis at home.

Yes, schools and primary care doctors usually examine kids for scoliosis, but parents can still be on the lookout for early signs and symptoms, including:

• Asymmetry in the back or trunk of the body

• Asymmetry in the waist (if you place your child in front of a window, there will be more daylight on one side than the other, according to Dr. Neal)

• Ribs or shoulder blades sticking out on one side

• Shoulders or hips not being level

Dr. Neal said scoliosis is three-dimensional, so the spine can curve in any direction, leading to these asymmetrical body parts. Keep a closer eye on preteens, as they're the age group most commonly diagnosed.

"It's not specifically related to age, but more related to growth spurts, and all children go through a major one in their early teen years," Dr. Neal said. "It happens around age 12 for girls and 14 for boys. It can happen to both, but scoliosis is seven to eight times more common in girls."

Your child's pediatrician can screen for scoliosis.

Do you have concerns about your little one's spine? Dr. Neal recommended scheduling an appointment with your child's pediatrician. Your doctor can screen for scoliosis, determine if X-rays are needed, and refer you to a specialist who can offer treatment options.

The need for spinal surgery is pretty rare.

The good news about scoliosis is, in most cases, the spinal curvature is so small it can just be monitored by a specialist until your kid stops growing.

"Many smaller curves will not progress and don't require other specific treatment. Braces can help with larger curves while patients are still growing. Surgery is only necessary when bracing doesn't work or the curves are too severe," said Dr. Neal.

Whether a scoliosis patient just needs to be monitored or ultimately has to undergo surgery, he or she should come out of treatment ready to take on the world.

"The outlook is great. They should be the same as everybody else without significant limitations," Dr. Neal said. "Idiopathic scoliosis doesn't cause medical problems, limit function or affect the internal organs. Even after brace treatment or surgery, patients recover and have normal activity levels."