Rehabilitation of a child with a spinal cord injury

The incidence and sex distribution of spinal cord injury (SCI) changes with age. Motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, sports accidents, and violence are major causes in the pediatric population. Pulmonary complications may be severe and life-threatening in the acute phase. Chronically, the degree of ventilatory support needed depends on the level of the injury, with high cervical injuries typically requiring life-long ventilatory support. Deep venous thrombosis, autonomic dysreflexia, hypercalcemia, heterotopic ossification, spasticity, neurogenic bowel and bladder, scoliosis, and pain all may be secondary to SCI. Numerous orthotic aids are available for rehabilitation. An integrated rehabilitation program may also include spasticity management, a bowel and bladder program, and other features geared to the individual patient.