Genetic Basis of Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract

Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) the most usual spinal deformity, affects otherwise healthy children and adolescents during growth. The etiology is still not quiet understood, although genetic factors are believed to be important. This review corroborates the understanding of IS as a complex disease with a polygenic background. Presumably IS can be typically due to a spectrum of genetic risk variants, ranging from very rare or even private to very common. The most promising candidate genes are highlighted.