Shriners Hospitals for Children announced it has developed SpineScreen, an app that detects possible signs of scoliosis when a cell phone is moved along a child’s back.
Scoliosis is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 10 years and 15 years; however, some cases can go undetected. Fewer vaccinations are required during those ages, and children may see a doctor less often, according to a press release.
“Because there is often no known cause, monitoring for scoliosis is an important part of a child’s ongoing health care,” Amer Samdani, MD, chief of surgery for Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia, said in the release. “It is a progressive condition, so early detection is key. At Shriners Hospitals, our care ranges from routine monitoring to some of the most advanced treatments for scoliosis. The earlier we see a child, the more options we have available.”
The app is part of an initiative to focus on screening and to educate parents on the signs of scoliosis and treatments, according to the release. It is available for free on the App Store and Google Play. Additional information on the scoliosis initiative, including SpineScreen, is available at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/scoliosis.
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