Low back pain is fairly common among school-aged children, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics shows, according to Medical Xpress.
Here are five observations:
1. The prevalence of back pain becomes increasingly common as children age:
• Age seven — 1 percent
• Age 10 — 6 percent
• Ages 14 to 16 — 18 percent
2. The study found a mere 7 percent of children with back pain receive medical care for the condition.
3. School-aged children often experience back pain from musculoskeletal overuse or trauma and athletics.
4. Back pain may also stem from rapid growth; adverse psychological factors; family history of low back pain; or a previous back injury.
5. Even though most back pain in adolescents do not have more serious roots, clinicians should still develop a full clinical history of children, "asking certain questions associated with an inflammatory cause of lower back pain, examining the back for signs of deformities, performing neurologic workups and potentially ordering imaging tests," Medical Xpress reported.