Disparities in Spinal Deformity Surgery Care for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Neuromuscular Scoliosis

Researchers at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare have published a new study highlighting the disparities in care for non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP) and associated neuromuscular scoliosis treated at a quaternary pediatric hospital. The study, conducted between 2012 and 2022, aimed to assess potential disparities in care and identify factors contributing to these disparities. The findings, published in the journal Spine Deformity, have significant implications for the development of standardized criteria for surveillance, imaging, and referral to reduce health disparities for this specific population.

Key Takeaways:

• The study included 328 non-ambulatory children with CP who received spinal deformity surgery between 2012 and 2022, with a mean age of 9.8 years and a majority (59%) being male.
• The sample was predominantly White (70%), with smaller proportions of Black (13%), Hispanic or Latino (6%), and Asian participants.
• Black children compared to White children were more likely to have only government insurance (p = .02).
• Government insurance compared to commercial insurance was associated with longer distance from hospital (p = .02).
• Children with cerebral palsy and neuromuscular scoliosis had a higher average major coronal curve magnitude (46 ± 23) on presentation.
• The study concludes that these findings highlight the need for development of standardized criteria for surveillance, imaging, and referral to reduce health disparities for this specific population.

Statistics:

• 328 non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy met eligibility criteria for the study.
• 70% of the sample was White, 13% was Black, 6% was Hispanic or Latino, and the remaining participants were Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaska Native, or declined to answer.
• 89% of participants spoke English as their primary language.
• 45% had both government and commercial insurance, while 24% had only government insurance.
• The study included data from 502 children, with 328 meeting eligibility criteria.

Sources:

• NewsRx LLC. Reports on Cerebral Palsy Findings from Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare Provide New Insights (Disparities in spinal deformity surgery care for children with cerebral palsy and neuromuscular scoliosis). Pediatrics Week, November 1, 2025.
• Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. Disparities in spinal deformity surgery care for children with cerebral palsy and neuromuscular scoliosis. Spine Deformity, 2025.
• Torres-Gonzalez, L., et al. Disparities in spinal deformity surgery care for children with cerebral palsy and neuromuscular scoliosis. Spine Deformity, 2025.