The natural history of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Singapore school children

Abstract

A total of 228 school children in Singapore aged 6 to 15 years old were studied to evaluate the natural history of Idiopathic Scoliosis. The objectives were to determine factors contributing to curve progression, and to establish treatment rates after diagnosis. Curve progression was found in 30.3% of the children. Curve progression was related to sex, curve magnitude, age at diagnosis, Risser sign, puberty and menarchal status. There was no correlation between progression and the curve pattern. Multiple regression analysis was done to estimate the probability of curve progression of 5 degrees or more. A Cobb angle of more than 25 degrees, pre-puberty and females were found to be independently prognostic of curve progression of 5 degrees or more. The treatment rate was 12% (31 out of 259).