Scientists have identified two rare genetic mutations that greatly increase a child's chance of developing severe scoliosis, according to a report from HealthDay.
The genes, fibrillin-1 and fibrillin-2, when mutated, increase the risk of developing scoliosis severe enough to require surgery four-fold. Pediatric scoliosis requiring surgery occurs in approximately one of every 10,000 children, according to the report.
The research, conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is published in Human Molecular Genetics. Ultimately, scientists want to create a testing panel to predict which individuals may require treatment before their conditions become so severe, according to the report.
More Articles on Spine:
10 Spine & Neurosurgeons Making Headlines This Week
4 Ways to Improve Spine Program Profitability
Securing a Stable Financial Future for Spine Surgeons: What Stands in the Way?