SCI treatment in paediatrics requires specialization as proper management is required to prevent complications.
The spinal cord is a vital organ in the human body and injury to it always require expert care. When the spinal cord injury occurs in the early stages of life, the treatment and management need to be even more specialized.
If you are treating a child with a spinal cord injury, here are three reasons specialized care is important:
Diagnosis
First, diagnosing spinal cord injury in paediatric patients is difficult. Even detecting an injury from an x-ray or MRI scan result is not an easy feat due to the immaturity of their musculoskeletal system. It takes years of experience and professional expertise to come up with the right diagnosis in children.
Risk of Complications
Secondly, children who experience spinal cord injuries are at greater risk of developing scoliosis. This is because they are still at a developing stage. Their spinal cord injury goes through series of transformation as they grow older which can cause complications. Consequently, specialized care is necessary as the child ages. This can help forestall an occurrence of scoliosis or may help slow down its process.
Rehabilitation
Lastly, the rehabilitation program for children varies largely from that of adults and should be specialized. Rehabilitation centres are equipped with skills and expertise for childhood rehab. Their programs are tailored to meet children needs and they give due consideration to their growth and development.
To conclude, Paediatric SCI patients also require treatment regimens such as therapies and assistive technologies which specialized professionals can help them with. Keep this in mind when choosing a healthcare team for your child.
