Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs much less commonly in children than adults. Children can also experience spinal cord dysfunction from birth injuries, skeletal dysplasias, neoplasms, infections, and autoimmune causes. There are special considerations for determining the level and completeness of injury in children under 6 years of age. Children with SCI experience some unique secondary complications such as scoliosis, and other complications such as autonomic dysreflexia require modifications in management due to pediatric physiology. The rehabilitation of children with SCI typically includes compensatory strategies and exercise, and new methods of exercise including functional electrical stimulation and activity-based locomotor training are being researched for efficacy in restoration of function. Studies of psychosocial health of children with SCI highlight the importance of peer interactions and participation in activities outside the home. Practitioners also need to be mindful of the stress an injury places on siblings, parents, and other caregivers.

Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury: A Review

“…The most common non-traumatic causes of SCIs include neoplasms or spinal cord tumors that can be either benign or malignant and lead to compression of the spinal cord, resulting in an SCI without direct trauma. Aside from tumors, transverse myelitis is another common cause of non-traumatic SCI in children, involving the inflammation of both sides of the spinal cord, often leading to damage to myelin and resulting in impairments in nerve signals [ 5 ]. Compared to adults, neurological recovery following an SCI is reported to be better in pediatric populations.…”

“…A pediatric SCI differs from its adult counterpart in several key aspects. Anatomically, the developing pediatric spinal cord exhibits distinct structural characteristics with different response mechanisms to injury [ 1 , 5 ]. The pediatric spinal cord is more pliable and elastic, leading to different injury patterns and the potential for recovery compared to adults.…”

Epidemiological Study of Traumatic Brain and Spinal Injuries in a Pediatric Population: A One-Year Analysis of Prevalence, Causes and Trends

“…Pediatric spinal cord injury has several significant distinguishing features that are related to the tissue maturation stage of the child’s spinal cord and the disparity in size between the child and an adult. There is a variability in the structural and morphologic features of the growing pediatric spinal cord, and the changes in it differ after injury as well [ 7 ]. Safe for teenagers (adolescents) to participate in it, because it is more pliable and elastic, leading to different types of injuries and the potential to heal differently, compared to adults.…”

“…From these studies, the figure has shown that up to 90% of these impacts do not influence severe injuries and people can go home. Nevertheless, 37,000 cases need hospitalization, and 2,685 people pass away as a result of their injuries [2,4,7].…”

Neonatal Rats Exhibit a Predominantly Anti-Inflammatory Response following Spinal Cord Injury

“…Paediatric spinal cord injury (SCI) accounts for only 1–13% of all reported SCI cases [1, 2], but spinal injury has a long and lasting impact on quality of life for these children. While it is acknowledged that children may be more vulnerable to severe injuries, if they survive an injury of comparable force, they appear to have a different, often better and faster recovery than their adult counterparts.…”