What is Juvenile Scoliosis?

Juvenile scoliosis refers to a curvature of the spine among children between the ages of four and ten. Asymmetry of the chest and shoulders is a common indicator of the condition, though these may be difficult to detect in such young children. Though the deformity is best to detect early, scoliosis often advances into adolescence, and may result in serious neurological disorders if left untreated. Though causes are generally unknown, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used in diagnosing scoliosis. The most effective treatment for both juvenile and adolescent scoliosis is a type of back brace called a Milwaukee brace.

Scoliosis, defined as a lateral curvature of the spine, can be detected in the neck, chest, or lower back. It may occur at infancy, during juvenile years, or during adolescence. Males develop the condition more commonly at the younger age, whereas females tend to develop it closer to ten.

Some signs of scoliosis include prominent shoulder blades, asymmetry of the chest, and uneven shoulder height. Very occasionally, uneven leg length causes the pelvis to become tilted, which may result in scoliosis. These signs are often less obvious in juveniles, which may allow the chance for the condition to remain undetected until later years. Juvenile scoliosis is then likely to advance into adolescent scoliosis. It is most advantageous, however, to detect and treat the disorder as early as possible in order to prevent the curvature from progressing.

Most cases of scoliosis are deemed as idiopathic, meaning that the causes are unknown. In patients of all ages, spine deformities and abnormalities tend to be hereditary. It is recommended that if a child is diagnosed with juvenile scoliosis, all other children and adolescents within the immediate family receive examination for the condition. Due to the correlation between spine health and brain health, neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, polio, and muscular dystrophy may result from undetected and advanced scoliosis.

If it is expected that a child is suffering from scoliosis, a pediatrician or surgeon may order an MRI to detect the degree of curvature. A spinal curve of more than 20 degrees indicates that there is at least some type of abnormality. Curves of more than 30 degrees are likely to worsen if untreated.

The Milwaukee brace is the most common treatment for juvenile scoliosis. This back brace is worn during the majority of the day, for long periods of time until the skeleton matures. The effectiveness of the Charleston brace, which is meant to be worn at night, has been disputed among the medical community. Most other treatments for scoliosis have not been proven effective.