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Health Q & A


IS BACK PAIN IN KIDS A BIG DEAL? By Ann Petersen-Smith, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CPNP-AC


ack pain is common in children. Up to 70 percent of adolescents will complain of back pain. Most of the time, the cause is not serious; however, there are serious causes of back pain that need to be evaluated. Back pain is generally divided into two


B


categories: nonspecific, where the cause is unknown, and specific, when the cause is known. Both categories require an eval- uation by a healthcare provider. Up to 70 percent of children will have nonspecific back pain, and X-rays and exams will be normal. Carrying a backpack that is too


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heavy, soft tissue injuries, muscle strain or overuse from sports, dancing or other physical activities may cause nonspecific pain. This type of pain may also be associ- ated with stress, depression, anxiety or mood disorders. Approximately 40 percent of children


have specific back pain with X-ray changes and/or abnormal findings on physical examination. Specific symptoms associated with back pain are very con- cerning. Worsening pain and changes in neurological function are especially worri- some. Other symptoms include:


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