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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffDoctors don't know what causes the most common type of scoliosis. When a cause can't be identified, scoliosis is called idiopathic.
Sometimes, an underlying disease that affects the neuromuscular system, a leg-length discrepancy or a birth defect may cause scoliosis. Scoliosis can also begin during fetal development. Congenital scoliosis is a type of birth defect that affects the development of the vertebrae and may occur with other congenital problems, such as heart or kidney abnormalities.
Scoliosis runs in families and may involve genetic (hereditary) factors that haven't yet been identified. Doctors also recognize that spinal cord and brainstem abnormalities play a role in some cases of scoliosis.
Scoliosis isn't caused by poor posture, diet, exercise, or the use of backpacks.
