A Primary Care Provider’s Guide to Pediatric Spinal Cord Injuries

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) in youth presents with unique manifestations and complications as compared to adult-onset SCI. The primary care clinician must consider the physical, physiological, cognitive, and psychological changes transpiring during childhood and adolescence. Physical changes include increasing size, weight, and bladder volume. Physiologic considerations include decreasing heart rate and increasing blood pressure with age. Cognitive issues include communication, executive functioning, and self-management skills. Lastly, psychological processes involve emotional functioning and establishment of self-identify and autonomy in the context of life with SCI.

Advance in pediatric spinal cord injury

“…Therefore, older children and adults usually suffer lower cervical spine injuries. 19,20 In addition, there are some unique causes of SCI in children, such as birth injuries and lap belt injuries. 21 One in every 60,000 newborns suffers a spinal cord injury.…”

“…With age, the weight and size of the head become smaller relative to other parts of the body, and the fulcrum moves down to the C5/6 (the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae) segment, which continues until adulthood. Therefore, older children and adults usually suffer lower cervical spine injuries 19,20 …”