Cervical Kyphosisenparentshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/Cervical_Kyphosis_enHD_1.jpgCervical kyphosis is a curve at the top of the spine (backbone). Usually, the condition isn't serious, but a pinch in the spinal cord can cause nerve damage.congenital cervical kyphosis, acquired cervical kyphosis, kyphosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, dwarfism, spina bifida, neurofibromatosis, cervical kyphosis, back problems, spine problems, 02/16/201812/18/201809/02/2019Alicia McCarthy, APRN and Suken A. Shah, MD05/04/201887bf27c4-d943-4a69-a448-1db668c0ddfdhttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/cervical-kyphosis.html/<h3>What Is Cervical Kyphosis?</h3>
<p>The cervical spine is the top of the backbone. It normally has a slight curve to it.</p>
<p>Cervical kyphosis (SUR-vih-kull kye-FOE-sis) is when the top of the spine curves in the opposite direction than normal. That can lead to problems.</p>
<h3>What Happens in Cervical Kyphosis?</h3>
<p>Most cervical kyphosis isn't serious. But if the curve is severe, bones in the spine called
vertebrae
might pinch the spinal cord. This can damage the spinal cord.</p>
<p><span><img class="right" title="" src="https://kidshealth.org/EN/images/illustrations/cervicalKyphosisEstab_400x300_enIL.png" alt="Illustration: Normal Cervical Spine" /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1em;">The spinal cord is the body's central communication system. It's a tube of nerves that runs inside the spine. The nerves branch out to every part of the body. They send messages between the brain and the rest of the body.</span></p>
<p>If damage is very bad, the nerves can't send important signals like telling the lungs to breathe or blood to move around the body.<img class="right" title="" src="https://kidshealth.org/EN/images/illustrations/cervicalKyphosis_400x300_enIL.png" alt="Illustration: Cervical Kyphosis" /></p>
<h3>What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Cervical Kyphosis?</h3>
<p>Here are some things parents may notice when a child has cervical kyphosis:</p>
<ul>
<li>an unusual curve in the child's neck</li>
<li>the child has trouble looking up or turning his or her head</li>
<li>the child has neck pain</li>
</ul>
<p>If the curve is sharp enough to pinch the spinal cord, kids might have these problems:</p>
<ul>
<li>pain, tingling, loss of feeling, or weakness</li>
<li>be unable to move their arms or legs</li>
<li>trouble peeing or pooping</li>
<li>accidents because they can't control when they pee or poop (called incontinence)</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Is Cervical Kyphosis Diagnosed?</h3>
<p>If you think your child has a neck problem, make an appointment with your pediatrician. The doctor, nurse, or physician assistant will ask about what's going on. They will order tests like <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/xray-c-spine.html/">X-rays</a>.</p>
<p>If the pediatrician thinks your child needs specialized help, he or she will send you to a specialist. Specialists who treat kids with kyphosis are:</p>
<ul>
<li>neurologists (experts in the nervous system)</li>
<li>neurosurgeons (doctors who operate on the brain and spinal cord)</li>
<li>orthopedists (experts in bones, muscles, and joints)</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Is Cervical Kyphosis Treated?</h3>
<p>Treatment depends on the child's age and how bad the curve is. Here are some of the things health care providers use:</p>
<p><strong>Bracing.</strong> Children may wear a neck brace to treat cervical kyphosis.</p>
<p><strong>Physical therapy.</strong> <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/phys-therapy.html/">Physical therapists</a> work with kids to help improve flexibility and posture and reduce pain.</p>
<p><strong>Pain management.</strong> If kids have pain, doctors and nurses prescribe medicines and other pain management techniques.</p>
<p><strong>Surgery.</strong> Kids need surgery when a curve puts pressure on the spinal cord in a way that may cause nerve damage. Kids who also have diseases that make their bones weak or slow to heal may need more than one operation.</p>
<h3>What Causes Cervical Kyphosis?</h3>
<p>Kids can get cervical kyphosis in three ways:</p>
<h4><strong>1. They are born with it. </strong></h4>
<p>This is called <strong>congenital cervical kyphosis</strong>. No one knows what causes it. Doctors do know that it has nothing to do with anything a mom did when she was pregnant.</p>
<h4>2. Something goes wrong in the body.</h4>
<p>This is called <strong>acquired cervical kyphosis</strong>. Lots of different things can cause it, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>injury to the bones of the spine or the ligaments around them</li>
<li>infection</li>
<li>tumors</li>
<li>surgery</li>
<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/radiation.html/">radiation therapy</a> for cancer</li>
</ul>
<h4>3. They have another condition that causes them to get kyphosis.</h4>
<p>For example:</p>
<ul>
<li>skeletal dysplasia</li>
<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/spina-bifida.html/">spina bifida</a></li>
<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/osteogenesis-imperfecta.html/">osteogenesis imperfect (OI)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/nf.html/">neurofibromatosis type 1</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Who Gets Cervical Kyphosis?</h3>
<p>Cervical kyphosis isn't common. It can happen to any child, but kids who have it often have another health problem too.</p>
<p>Parents can't stop cervical kyphosis from happening. But they can help kids get the best care.</p>
<h3>What Can Parents Do?</h3>
<p>It's important to diagnose spine problems early. If kids don't get treatment, some may end up with spinal cord damage that can't be fixed.</p>
<p>Here are tips for avoiding problems:</p>
<ul class="kh_longline_list">
<li>See a doctor if your child has trouble with head movements or neck pain. Neck trouble needs to be checked out to be sure it's not something serious.</li>
<li>Go to all medical appointments if your child has cervical kyphosis. Even a small curve can get bigger as a child grows. The care team will want to keep watching for possible problems.</li>
<li>If your child had surgery, ask the care team when you should bring your child for follow-up visits. The will check your child to be sure the kyphosis does not come back.</li>
</ul>
<p>The care team is a resource — for you and your child. They can answer questions and help your child get the best treatment. So reach out for help and answers when you need to.</p>Cifosis cervicalLa cifosis cervical ocurre cuando la parte superior de la columna vertebral se curva en la dirección contraria a la normal. Esto puede dar lugar a problemas.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/es/parents/cervical-kyphosis-esp.html/234c4d53-261b-4552-a550-a434d2e24d36Bones, Muscles, and JointsWithout bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/bones-muscles-joints.html/53199934-b6d8-4854-8362-8b1dfc45c3f6Compression Fracture of the SpineA compression fracture of the spine is when the vertebrae (bones that form the spine) collapses. People with weakened bones can get them from a minor fall or with no trauma at all.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/spine-fractures.html/01ef053b-9115-420e-974a-d14b1e4a8cb2Congenital KyphosisKyphosis is a rounding of the back that some children are born with. It makes the back look hunched over.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/congenital-kyphosis.html/e38a6d97-14fd-45cd-8759-7c7769c4a3d8DwarfismDwarfism is characterized by short stature. Many of the possible complications of dwarfism are treatable, and people of short stature lead healthy, active lives.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dwarfism.html/182cc246-49a0-43be-ad15-741b35f5012cKyphosisYour spine, or backbone, normally curves forward gently as it runs up your back. Sometimes, though, someone's back can be rounded too far forward, which is a condition known as kyphosis.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/kyphosis.html/7edf625a-f62d-482c-954b-fc0baae94c00Kyphosis Factsheet (for Schools)What teachers should know about this curvature of the spine, and how to help students with kyphosis do their best in school.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/factsheet-kyphosis.html/15654e7b-85a4-4e12-90dd-b2679a1e4791Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Disease)Osteogenesis imperfecta (or brittle bone disease) prevents the body from building strong bones. People with OI have bones that might break easily.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/osteogenesis-imperfecta.html/73030c14-5fa1-41d3-8f1d-7fc7136dcc8ePostural KyphosisPostural kyphosis is rounding or hunching of the back that usually affects teens.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/postural-kyphosis.html/9e0e0765-bb63-422f-9f09-bdab08da2d29Scheuermann's KyphosisScheuermann's kyphosis is a condition affecting the upper back that makes it rounded so it looks hunched over. https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/scheuermann-kyphosis.html/2fac36f0-a377-4804-bd02-67dbc1bb85f8ScoliosisScoliosis makes a person’s spine curve from side to side. Large curves can cause health problems like pain or breathing trouble. Health care providers treat scoliosis with back braces or surgery when needed. https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/scoliosis.html/eb1d36eb-b517-42a5-9d47-7903103cdddcX-Ray Exam: Cervical SpineThis X-ray can, among other things, help find the cause of neck, shoulder, upper back, or arm pain. It's commonly done after someone has been in an automobile or other accident.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/xray-c-spine.html/2e5c4519-896e-49e0-8100-3dc777f7488fkh:age-allAgesOrAgeAgnostickh:clinicalDesignation-neurologykh:genre-articlekh:primaryClinicalDesignation-orthopedicsNonSportsMedBones & Muscleshttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/medical/bones/309954d5-03dd-446c-9d39-3e66eeb99f97https://kidshealth.org/EN/images/illustrations/cervicalKyphosisEstab_400x300_enIL.pnghttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/illustrations/cervicalKyphosis_400x300_enIL.png