Early Onset Scoliosis (Infantile Scoliosis)
Early onset scoliosis is the abnormal, side-to-side curve of spine in children under 5 years old. There is no known cause for a young child to develop scoliosis at this age. It generally affects boys more often than girls.
Early onset scoliosis includes children with congenital scoliosis (present at birth, with spine abnormalities) and infantile scoliosis (birth to 3 years). It can be linked with:
- Chest deformities such as pigeon breast, when the breastbone is pushed outward at birth
- Neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy or muscular disease
- Various syndromes such as neurofibromatosis