Akron Children’s encourages parents to screen for scoliosis while applying sunscreen at SpineScreen event

08-19-2025 (Akron, Mahoning Valley, Ohio)

On August 10, Akron Children’s hosted its second SpineScreen event at the Beachwood Aquatic Center (first held last year at Edgewater Beach). With more than 100,000 new pediatric cases of scoliosis identified each year in the U.S., Akron Children’s has turned one form of protection into a new form of prevention by encouraging parents to check for signs of scoliosis when applying sunscreen – a moment nearly every family experiences during summer. 

In two years, Akron Children’s SpineScreen initiative has evaluated over 150 Cleveland kids for scoliosis and referred 13 cases for further assessment.

“We know that early detection is important. When scoliosis goes unrecognized and treatment isn’t initiated, it can progress and require surgery,” said Jessica Westfall, orthopedic nurse practitioner at Akron Children’s. “Untreated scoliosis can progress throughout life leading to pain, cosmetic concerns and early morbidity and mortality for adults."

With school screenings for scoliosis no longer mandated in Ohio, not all children are being screened.

“We recommend annual screenings in order to detect scoliosis when it’s treatable, helping children to avoid surgery," said Westfall.

In fact, about 70% of the time, bracing is an effective treatment to stop or slow curve progression and prevent further spinal deformity.

Westfall says in the absence of professional screening, educating parents is the next best step to early detection.

“SpineScreen encourages parents who routinely apply sunscreen to make one application a scoliosis check with screening instructions right on the bottle,” she says. “If the child has one hip that rests higher than another, shoulder blade lopsidedness, uneven shoulder height, or a curve noted to the ribcage or lower back when bending forward, then parents are guided to learn more about scoliosis and spine services at the hospital’s website.”

Here are other things to look for:

• The body appears to lean to one side
• A protruding rib cage
• Clothes that don’t hang right
• Head doesn’t appear centered on the body
• Visible “S” or “C” shaped spinal curve when bending forward
• Complaints of back pain

If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with your child's provider to have a thorough evaluation. To learn more about scoliosis or schedule an appointment with one of Akron Children’s board-certified orthopedic surgeons, visit akronchildrens.org.