Epidemiology and pathophysiology of pediatric spinal cord injury

Abstract

It is essential to know the incidence and etiology of pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI) in order to identify risk groups, improve prevention and plan care and rehabilitation. SCI significantly and usually irreversibly alters every aspect of a person's life. Pediatric SCI is relatively uncommon, with distinctive manifestations due to the characteristic anatomical and physiologic features of the growing child. The interaction of growth and development, modified by injury, is responsible for the various clinical deformities frequently seen in pediatric patients. The incidence of pediatric SCI is lower than in adults, varying from 1 to 10% of all spinal injuries. However, the diagnostic studies and images differ from adults and require particular consideration. This article provides a review of epidemiologic data from different countries and also the pathophysiology of pediatric SCI with unique aspects in outline.