Congenital Scoliosis is a disease caused by a birth defect in the spine. This disease, marked by a lateral curvature of the spine, hampers its longitudinal development. Although Congenital Scoliosis is a rare disease, it can be rectified only through surgery.
A problem in the formation of somites or spinal tissue segments leads to abnormal vertebral development, which in turn causes Congenital Scoliosis. Research shows that this disease does not result from hereditary factors, and even in the case of twins it is very unlikely that both will have the disease. However, research suggests that environmental factors, including smoking and cocaine abuse by pregnant women, may cause congenital Scoliosis in their children. Girls are more prone to develop this disease than boys.
This disease is generally not detected at birth unless an X-ray is taken for another disease. In addition, very few children are born twisted. Therefore, Congenital Scoliosis is detected at a much later age. Although this disease does not cause any pain, only in very few cases does the disease get resolved by itself or not worsen. Braces do not work, and an overwhelming majority of Congenital Scoliosis patients require surgical treatment. Doctors recommend the use of braces after surgery, to protect the spine. Patients need to be screened for other diseases as well. This is because most patients tend to have kidney, spinal cord, or heart problems in conjunction with Congenital Scoliosis.
In most cases, early detection and surgery can solve the problem, and the child’s growth improves. However, some cases require a second operation. Parents should watch out for warning signs in the form of a little hump on the rib or back, hair along the spine, or a foot problem. A doctor needs to be consulted immediately if any of these signs are noticed.
To conclude, unlike idiopathic Scoliosis, the cause of Congenital Scoliosis is known to doctors. However, further research is necessary to discover means to prevent vertebral abnormalities that cause this disfiguring disease.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Scoliosis Treatment
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Prevention is always better than cure. However, it is difficult to prevent a disease like idiopathic Scoliosis, which has no known cause. Even if the cause is known, as in congenital Scoliosis, further research is required to prevent its occurrence. Therefore, Treatment is vital in...
-
Scoliosis
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Spinal problems are on the rise globally, due to the prevailing lifestyle of people. Lifestyles characterized by improper diet and lack of exercise lead to weak bones that in turn contribute to Scoliosis. Scoliosis is a common spinal disease that can occur both in children...
-
Adult Scoliosis
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Adult Scoliosis is a spinal abnormality that occurs during adulthood, or is a continuation of the disease that was undiagnosed or ignored during childhood or adolescence. Adult Scoliosis is generally idiopathic, which means that its cause is unknown. However, several other types of Scoliosis also...
-
Infantile Scoliosis
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Scoliosis that occurs in infants, and is noticeable when the child is aged between 2 months and 3 years, is called Infantile Scoliosis. This disease is characterized by curvature of the spine that often rectifies itself with the passage of time. Infantile Scoliosis is a...
-
Scoliosis Surgery
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Technological advancements have made all kinds of surgery relatively easy, and Scoliosis Surgery is no exception. Earlier, patients underwent a drawn-out process of surgery, followed by treatment and casting. They also took several months to recover. Today, although Scoliosis Surgery still takes several hours, patients...
-
Scoliosis Symptoms
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Scoliosis, which is characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, is manifest both in children and adults. A spinal curvature that is greater than 25 to 30 degrees is considered significant, while a curvature greater than 45 to 50 degrees is considered very serious....
-
Scoliosis Braces
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Bracing is a widely accepted treatment for Scoliosis, especially in the case of children and adolescents. The Brace is customized to suit the different needs of patients, and primarily used to prevent the spinal curve from worsening during the growing age. It cannot rectify the...
-
Congenital Heart Disease
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Congenital heart disease affects children, infants, and even fetuses, which are still developing inside the uterus. Today, as statistics state, 8 out of every 1,000 children are affected with this disease. A disease with few known causes, congenital heart disease is dangerous. Doctors have failed...
-
Crohns Disease Treatment
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the intestines, causing ulcerations. It can also affect other parts of the digestive system. A chronic disease, it has no permanent cure, but symptoms can be treated as they occur, either with drugs, dietary changes, or...
-
Heart Disease
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Heart disease, as the name implies, is an affliction of heart and its associated systems. Around 13 million people suffer from coronary heart disease, with 479,000 people dying from it each year. Congenital heart disease affects 8-10 out of 1,000 children every year in America....