Spinal deformities characterized by abnormal curvature of the spine are usually found in children below 14 years of age.
However, due to lack of awareness and absence of medical screenings, late presentation of disease remains a major problem in India. In a first of its kind initiative in India, the Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) has launched a major scoliosis screening programme for school children across multiple cities with an objective to increase early identification and spread awareness.
Under the project, the ASSI is working with a series of schools in Bhubaneswar with an objective of screening an estimated 10,000 children studying across different schools in the city. The study will help the organisation collect much-needed data on the prevalence of spinal deformity while identifying kids who need medical intervention.
“The nationwide screening programme aims to reach around 1 to 1.5 lakh school children in two years. While the first phase will target schools in 14 cities including Bhubaneswar, thereby the screening programme is expected to be extended to other cities also. The ASSI also plans to launch an e-learning programme for consumers and one part of it will be on spinal deformities which would enable common people to identify spinal deformity. Notably, several online applications such as Scoliometer and Angle meter are available for people to check for spinal deformities themselves. The ASSI awareness programme will also educate parents about their availability and usage”, said ASSI and Chief of Spine Service and Medical Director, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, Dr HS Chhabra.
In the first phase, the ASSI has reached out to schools in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Indore, Lucknow, Patna, Kolkata, Ahemdabad, Pune, Trivandrum and Hyderabad. Under the drive, parents and children will be educated on the subject and spine screening will be conducted for children who consent to participate in the study.
The spine examination will be conducted by medical officers or nurses at the school after they are trained by the ASSI task force member of the city.
Free counseling of the parents by the concerned spine surgeon (task force member) will be facilitated and treatment process initiated where required. All the data thus collected will be confidential.