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 program for school children across multiple cities with an objective to increase early identification and spread awareness.
Under the project, ASSI is working with a series of schools in Coimbatore, with an objective of screening an estimated 10,000 children studying across different schools in the city. The purpose of a scoliosis screening program is to identify students with spinal curvatures that will require further follow up by a healthcare provider. Collation of long term data under the study will help experts to study the prevalence of spine deformities and their prognosis in India.
In the first phase, 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 private and confidential.