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. 2024 Jul 23:12:1399049.
doi: 10.3389/fped.2024.1399049. eCollection 2024.

Prevalence of scoliosis in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mingyang Li  1 , Qilong Nie  1 , Jiaying Liu  2 , Zeping Jiang  2
Affiliations

Prevalence of scoliosis in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mingyang Li et al. Front Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: The understanding of the prevalence and early predictive factors of scoliosis in children and adolescents is limited, which poses challenges to developing preventative strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the prevalence and predictors of scoliosis among children and adolescents.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science through October 2023. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute scale or the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine different types of scoliosis and specific demographic groups.

Results: From 32 studies encompassing 55,635,351 children and adolescents, we identified 284,114 cases of scoliosis, resulting in a prevalence rate of 3.1% (95% CI: 1.5%-5.2%). This rate varied by gender, degrees of scoliosis severity, and between idiopathic vs. congenital forms. Notable predictors included gender, age, Body Mass Index (BMI), race, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.

Conclusion: Scoliosis is a significant condition affecting a minority of children and adolescents, particularly adolescent girls and individuals who are overweight. It is recommended that guardians and schools enhance educational efforts towards its prevention.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, Identifier CRD42023476498.

Keywords: adolescents; children; prevalence; risk factors; scoliosis; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Literature screening process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot for the meta-analysis of the prevalence of scoliosis in children and adolescents.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot for the sensitivity analysis of the prevalence of scoliosis in children and adolescents.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Funnel plot for publication bias in prevalence of scoliosis in children and adolescents.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot for the meta-analysis of the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Forest plot for the sensitivity analysis of the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Funnel plot for publication bias regarding the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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