Affiliations: Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, The
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,
PA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Heakyung Kim, MD, The Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard,
Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Tel.: +1 215 590 1000; Fax: +1 215 590 7989;
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in the pediatric population is
an uncommon but potentially devastating entity that may be unfamiliar to many
practitioners. Because its treatment requires a long-term, well-planned,
integrated approach, understanding the natural history, treatment, and common
comorbidities of pediatric SCI is crucial for all physicians caring for these
children. We present a review of the current literature on this topic to
discuss the current standard of medical and rehabilitation care of pediatric
SCI patients. Data Sources: Studies for this review article were obtained by
a thorough PubMed search, including but not limited to the terms "spinal cord
injury," "SCI," "spinal rehabilitation," and "pediatric spinal injury."
Frequently referenced articles of particular prominence in the field were also
reviewed. Study Selection: Studies were included primarily to illustrate
specific clinical situations in this overview article. Data Extraction: Studies were reviewed by the authors (JG and
HK) and clinically important details were incorporated into the review. Data Synthesis: Not applicable. Conclusions: Pediatric SCI, while relatively uncommon, is a
life-changing event for affected children and their families, physically,
medically, and economically. Providing multidisciplinary care, as well as early
and extensive rehabilitation, translates into superior outcomes. However, more
research remains necessary to identify tactics for better community integration
and increased educational, financial, and social success.
