Curve evolution during bracing in children with scoliosis secondary to early-onset neurofibromatosis type 1: indicators of rapid curve progression

Scoliosis secondary to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in children aged 10°/year) were identified. The age at modulation and the AV before and after modulation were obtained. Patients with (n = 18) and without rapid curve progression (n = 10) were statistically compared. Twenty-eight patients with a mean age of 6.5 ± 1.9 years at the initial visit were reviewed. The mean Cobb angle of the main curve was 41.7° ± 2.4° at the initial visit and increased to 67.1° ± 8.6° during a mean follow-up of 44.1 ± 8.5 months. The overall AV was 6.6° ± 2.4°/year for all patients. At the last follow-up, all patients presented curve progression of >5°, and 20 (71%) patients had progressed by >20°. Rapid curve progression was observed in 18 (64%) patients and was associated with younger age at the initial visit and a higher incidence of modulation change during follow-up (t = 2.868, P = 0.008 and