[Backache in children and adolescents]

Although backpain during childhood is uncommon serious diseases feature high on the list of differential diseases. Often the correct diagnosis in the young is made late or missed in the first instance. During the adolescent period the incidence of backpain rises to include mechanical or osteochondritic conditions and the early problems of a degenerative back such as disc protrusion. It has to be stressed that infection and neoplasma although rare can be a cause of backache at any age. If after thorough investigation no abnormalities has been detected, one should keep in mind that serious mental problems can be the cause of backpain.