NEW YORK, (Reuters Health) – Screening for scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, in schools is not effective and often identifies children who never receive treatment, according to a study published Wednesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
“I do not think screening should be continued,” lead study author Dr. Barbara P. Yawn told Reuters Health in an interview.
Currently, 26 states require scoliosis screening in school, but the effectiveness of the screening programs are not well-established. If caught early, scoliosis can be treated without surgery.
Citing reasons for discontinuing screening, Yawn said in the interview that screening children in schools “for a rare condition (such as scoliosis) is not appropriate” since it doesn’t interfere with the ability to learn, “the screening test is not good and no better screening test is available” and screening does not appear to prevent surgery.
Source: Yahoo News
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