Brian Jeffrey
When T.N. from Hanoi noticed her five-year-old daughter showing signs of scoliosis, it came as a shock, especially when a family member working in healthcare pointed it out. Her daughter frequently stumbled and had an uneven posture that raised concerns.
Over the next eight years, T.N. sought medical help from various top hospitals, but her daughter’s condition showed no improvement. The situation deteriorated significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the curvature of her spine worsening by more than 10 degrees each year.
Upon examining the girl, Associate Prof Dr. Dinh Ngoc Son, who heads the Spine Surgery Department at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, used the Adam’s test which revealed a curvature of nearly 85 degrees in her spine, along with imaging assessments.
This severe condition had led to noticeable deformities, including a dropped left shoulder, rib protrusions, and a back hump, along with a 30-degree rotation of the vertebrae.
“Regrettably, we discovered it too late, past the crucial intervention window. Had it been detected earlier, when the curvature was under 60 degrees, treatments like bracing or growth rods could have helped manage the progression,” Dr. Son explained.
Now, with her spine significantly deformed, the girl faces numerous health challenges, and surgery presents considerable risks and complexities requiring careful evaluation.
Dr. Son noted that this case, while serious, is not the worst he has encountered. “Some children have much more severe curves, ranging from 90 to 140 degrees, resembling a twisted shape,” he shared.
Scoliosis is fairly common, affecting about 0.5 to 1 percent of children. School health screenings indicate that 7 to 9 percent may show signs of this condition. The causes are often unknown, but can be associated with congenital issues, neuromuscular disorders, or long-standing poor posture.
For children under 10 years old, untreated scoliosis can lead to significant health problems, particularly concerning cardiovascular health, lung function, and abdominal growth.
The chest generally develops fully between ages 5 and 8, and scoliosis can lead to lung collapse, impairing breathing. Additionally, the heart and major vessels may endure compression, while lumbar scoliosis can inhibit the development of abdominal organs.
However, Dr. Son emphasizes that not every scoliosis case necessitates surgery. Factors like age and curvature severity will influence treatment choices, which could include orthopedic braces, exercises, plaster casts, or surgical intervention.
It is crucial for scoliosis to be identified early and treated with suitable methods to limit complications that can result in severe spine deformities and affect the physical and psychological growth of children.
