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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model
Published on: March 27, 2016
Characteristics of pediatric-onset spinal cord injury
Jung H Lee1, In Y Sung, Jin Y Kang
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Pediatric spinal cord injuries (SCI) are often non-traumatic and affect the thoracic cord. Younger children with SCI are more likely to have injuries without clear radiologic abnormalities (SCIWORA).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Traumatology
- Rehabilitation medicine
Background:
- Pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI) is rare but leads to significant lifelong disabilities.
- Understanding the characteristics of SCI in children is crucial for effective management and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze the characteristics of pediatric onset SCI.
- To compare SCI patient demographics and injury patterns across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 48 pediatric SCI patients undergoing rehabilitation.
- Categorization into three age groups: 0-3 years (A), 4-12 years (B), and 13-18 years (C).
- Comparison of clinical and radiological findings, including SCI without radiologic abnormalities (SCIWORA).
Main Results:
- The male to female ratio was 3:2, with non-traumatic causes being more frequent overall.
- Congenital anomalies were common in younger children (Group A), while tumors predominated in older groups.
- Thoracic cord level injuries were most frequent; SCIWORA was prevalent in Group A, whereas spinal fractures dominated Group C.
Conclusions:
- Non-traumatic, thoracic spinal cord injury is a significant pattern in the pediatric population.
- SCI without radiologic abnormalities is more common in younger children with SCI.
Background:
Although children rarely experience spinal cord injuries (SCI), those who do are subject to various lifelong disabilities and morbidities. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively assess the characteristics of pediatric onset SCI patients and their differences among age groups.
Methods:
Clinical characteristics were compared in 48 patients who experienced SCI during childhood and adolescence and who underwent rehabilitation treatment. Clinical characteristics were compared in patients under 4 years old (group A), 4-12 years old (group B), and 13-18 years old (group C) at SCI onset. Radiological findings were compared in 20 patients who were examined on both plain radiograph and computed tomography.
Results:
The overall male: female ratio was 3:2, with SCI due to non-traumatic causes more frequent overall. Of traumatic causes of SCI, vehicle accident was the most frequent. Of non-traumatic causes, congenital anomaly was most frequent in group A, but tumors became dominant as age increased. Overall, thoracic cord level of injury was most frequent. SCI without radiologic abnormalities (SCIWORA) was predominant in group A, but none was observed in group C. Spinal fractures with or without subluxation accounted for >60% of group C SCI.
Conclusions:
Non-traumatic, thoracic cord injury was frequent in the pediatric SCI population. SCIWORA was predominant in younger children.
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