Pediatric Congenital Spine Deformities

Medical experts are uncertain what causes the defects responsible for congenital spine deformities. In these disorders, the vertebrae may be:

• Partially formed or misshapen
• Fused together
• Missing

A child may have one or more types of congenital spine deformity. Some commonly known types include:

• Scoliosis: Curvature and/or twisting of the spine to either side (most common)
• Kyphosis: Bowed or rounded back
• Lordosis: Sway back

Pediatricians can often detect spine deformities at birth if there is any abnormal curvature in the back. Sometimes, these deformities may not be noticed until later childhood or adolescence, when symptoms worsen. Physical signs of congenital spine deformities include:

• Abnormal curvature or twisting in the back, to either side, forward or backward
• Uneven shoulders, waistline, hips or legs
• Tilted pelvis
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty breathing

A pediatrician’s physical exam at birth can often reveal congenital spine deformities. Further tests that help confirm a diagnosis include:

• X-rays to look for abnormal vertebrae
• Diagnostic imaging, including 3D EOS, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans, to assess vertebrae problems and check for related problems in the spinal cord or organs
• Bone scans to assess bone health

Treatment usually focuses on preventing congenital spine deformities from getting worse, rather than correcting them. Depending on the type and severity of your child’s condition, the pediatrician may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

• Back braces or casts in mild cases of scoliosis to prevent spine curvatures from worsening
• Surgery for kyphosis and lordosis to improve spine alignment

Learn more about our Spine Program at Children’s National Hospital.