There are several divisions when we talk about scoliosis, one of them is the division according to the cause. Therefore, this division can be divided into two main groups, where one belongs to idiopathic scoliosis for which the cause is unknown, we can say that they are multifactorial and make up about 80% of the total number of people with scoliosis, while in 20% of the total number of scoliosis are those in which the cause is known, and these include: congenital, neuromuscular, neuropathic and syndromic. In further text we will speak about the idiopathic type of scoliosis that occurs in early childhood, it is necessary to clarify the division according to the age when scoliosis occur: 1. Infantile, occures between 0-3 years of age; 2. Juvenile 4-9 years; 3. Adolescents of 9 years; 4. Adults after 18 years.

In this text, we will talk more about idiopathic scoliosis that occurs in early growth and development, about the infantile type of scoliosis.

The period when infantile scoliosis occurs is usually a period of rapid growth and development, which means that in this period there is a big chance that there will be a significant worsening of the scoliotic curve. This type of scoliosis occurs more often in boys and is left-oriented in thoracic part, followed by a kyphotic form.

In people who do not have some kind of deformity, the spinal column is never completely straight and symmetrical, a slight rotation of the vertebrae is always present. In the infantile period, in children who don’t have a deformity of the spinal column, the vertebrae in thoracic part are oriented to the left, and thus during the development of scoliosis, the spine follows the already existing pattern of rotation. This explains the fact that in the infantile period, scoliosis is most often left-oriented.

During life, the existing rotation changes, so in the infantile period, in thoracic part the spine is left-oriented, in the juvenile period it is more or less in the central position, while in the adolescent period it is right-oriented. The change in the natural rotation of the spine can be explained by a change in the size of the organs at different periods of life.

In the infantile period, scoliosis can often be associated with kyphosis, so-called kypho-scoliosis. Young children are naturally in the position of kyphosis, thus, when the spinal deformity develops, it continues to follow the already existing pattern.
There are two forms of infantile scoliosis: progressive and resolving (spontaneous resolving). 80% of cases are resolving spontaneously, without intervention. It is considered that curves that are less than 25 degrees and in which there is no overlap of the rib head and vertebral body (can only be seen on X-ray), will not progress, moreover it will spontaneously correct the scoliotic curve during growth.

However, 20% of cases are progressive scoliosis, whose prognosis, if left untreated, is quite dismal. This type of scoliosis causes a large rotation of the ribs and a deformity of the complete chest, leaving a reduced space for the development of the lungs, which can lead to serious pulmonary and cardiorespiratory problems.

One of the most important factors is early diagnosis. Based on the X-ray and clinical examination, the doctor evaluates what type of treatment is needed. The sooner the first signs of scoliosis are noticed and the treatment is started, it can have more of an effect on reducing the progression of scoliotic curvature.

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