Scoliosis is a lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine associated with rotation so that in the thoracic spine the ribs on the convex side are displaced backwards. It is very common with twenty-five per cent of the population having some degree of spinal asymmetry in childhood. Curves over 20° occur in 1 to 2 in 1,000 boys and 4 to 5 in 1,000 girls. Sixty-five per cent of all cases are idiopathic (cause not known). Most scoliosis occurs in girls at the start of adolescence.

When idiopathic curvature occurs at or shortly after birth (infantile curves), the ratio is reversed and boys are often slightly more affected than girls. Interestingly, adolescent curve tends to be more convex to the right whereas infantile ones are to the left. In babies early diagnosis and treatment is particularly important.

Scoliosis may also develop as a result of congenital malformations of the spine such as hemi-vertebra or fused vertebrae, or in association with spina bifida.

Scoliosis may develop as the result of neurological disease for example poliomyelitis or Friedreich's Ataxia. It may also occur in brittle bone disease, or in specific syndromes such as Marfan, Rett syndrome and Neurofibromatosis.

Inheritance patterns
There is evidence that idiopathic scoliosis is familial. Where the cause of scoliosis is specific, the pattern of inheritance will depend upon the disorder concerned.

Prenatal diagnosis
None, except where specific conditions are concerned: for example, in spina bifida where amniocentesis at sixteen weeks is used. Ultrasound scanning can also identify spinal cord and vertebral defects.

Medical text written November 1991 by Mr M Edgar. Last updated April 2002 by Mr M Edgar, Consultant Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon, Middlesex Hospital, London and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK.

Further Online Resources
Medical texts in The Contact a Family Directory are designed to give a short, clear description of specific conditions and rare disorders. More extensive information on this condition can be found on a range of reliable, validated web sites and links to them are included in the CD-ROM version of this Directory. Further information on these resources can be found in our Medical Information on the Internet article.

SCOLIOSIS ASSOCIATION (UK)

Mrs Pauline Grey
Scoliosis Association (UK)
Unit 4, Ivebury Court
325 Latimer Road
London W10 6RA
Tel: 020 8964 1166 Helpline (Mon-Thur, 10am-3pm)
Tel: 020 8964 5343 (Mon-Thur, 10am-3pm)
e-mail: sauk@sauk.org.uk
Web: http://www.sauk.org.uk

The Association is a National Registered Charity No. 285290, established in 1981 as the Scoliosis Self Help Group. It offers contact with other families and individuals and it has a nationwide network of voluntary branches. It publishes a newsletter twice a year and has information available, details on request. The Association has over 3,000 members.

Group details last updated October 2007.