[Back pain in children and adolescents]
1Departement für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Kantonsspital Winterthur. traudel.saurenmann@ksw.ch
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique
|August 30, 2013
Summary
Back pain in children has many causes, with structural issues more common in younger kids. As children age, especially after puberty, their back pain causes increasingly resemble those seen in adults.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Context:
- Low back pain prevalence is rising in children and adolescents.
- Pain etiology differs between younger children and adolescents, with structural causes more frequent in younger age groups.
Purpose:
- To outline the broad differential diagnosis of back pain in pediatric populations.
- To guide clinicians on when further investigations are warranted based on clinical presentation.
Summary:
- The differential diagnosis for pediatric back pain is extensive.
- In younger children, structural causes are more prevalent, while in adolescents, the prevalence approaches adult levels.
- Thorough history taking and physical examination are crucial for diagnostic decision-making.
Impact:
- Aids healthcare providers in accurately diagnosing the cause of back pain in children and adolescents.
- Facilitates timely and appropriate investigations, potentially improving patient outcomes.
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