Pediatric and
adult spinal cord injuries (SCI) are distinct entities.
Children and
adolescents with SCI must suffer from lifelong disabilities, which is a heavy burden on
patients, their
families and the society. There are differences in
Chinese and foreign
literature reports on the
incidence,
injury mechanism and
prognosis of SCI in
children and
adolescents. In addition to traumatic
injuries such as
car accidents and
falls, the proportion of
sports injuries is increasing. The most common
sports injury is the backbend during
dance practice. Compared with
adults,
children and
adolescents are considered to have a greater potential for neurological improvement. The pathogenesis and
treatment of pediatric SCI remains unclear. The mainstream view is that the mechanism of nerve damage in pediatric SCI include flexion, hyperextension, longitudinal distraction and
ischemia. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
drugs such as
methylprednisolone in the
treatment of pediatric SCI and the indications and timing of
surgery. In addition, the
complications of pediatric SCI are also worthy of
attention. New imaging
techniques such as
diffusion tensor imaging and
diffusion tensor tractography may be used for
diagnosis and assessment of
prognosis. This article reviews the
epidemiology, pathogenesis, imaging, clinical characteristics,
treatment and
complications of SCI in
children and
adolescents. Although current
treatment cannot completely restore neurological function,
patient quality of life can be enhanced. Continued developments and advances in the
research of SCI may eventually provide a
cure for
children and
adolescents with this kind of
injury.