Researchers reviewed studies about special markers found in blood that might help doctors identify and track adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)—a condition where a teenager’s spine curves abnormally. Scientists found that teens with curved spines often have different levels of vitamin D, calcium, hormones, and other substances in their blood compared to healthy teens. These blood markers could potentially help doctors catch the condition earlier, predict how severe it might become, and monitor whether treatments are working. While these findings are promising, doctors say more research is needed before these blood tests can be used in regular medical practice.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can blood tests help doctors find and track curved spines in teenagers? Researchers looked at all the studies they could find about special markers in the blood of teens with scoliosis.
  • Who participated: This wasn’t a single study with participants—instead, scientists reviewed dozens of previous studies that included teenagers with idiopathic scoliosis (curved spines with no known cause) and compared their blood to healthy teens.
  • Key finding: Teens with curved spines consistently showed different levels of vitamin D, calcium, hormones like estrogen and leptin, and bone-related substances in their blood. These differences were found across multiple studies, suggesting they might be real clues to the condition.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a teenager with a curved spine or family history of scoliosis, blood tests might someday help doctors catch the problem earlier and predict how it will progress. However, these tests aren’t ready for regular doctor visits yet—more research is needed first.

The Research Details

This was a literature review, which means scientists didn’t do their own experiment. Instead, they carefully searched through all published research about blood markers in teens with curved spines and summarized what they found. They looked for studies examining various substances in the blood, including vitamins, minerals, hormones, and special molecules called microRNAs and proteins.

The researchers organized their findings by looking at different types of blood markers: vitamin and mineral levels, hormones that control growth and body functions, substances that show how bones are breaking down and rebuilding, and advanced molecular markers that scientists can now measure with new technology.

By bringing together findings from many different studies, the researchers could see patterns—things that appeared consistently across multiple research projects. This approach helps scientists understand the bigger picture of what’s happening in the bodies of teens with scoliosis.

A literature review is valuable because it combines evidence from many studies to find patterns that might not be obvious from looking at just one study. For a condition like scoliosis that affects many teenagers, understanding what’s happening in their bodies at a chemical level could lead to better ways to detect it early and predict who will need more aggressive treatment.

This review was published in a respected medical journal (Global Spine Journal), which means it went through quality checks. However, because this is a review of other studies rather than original research, its strength depends on the quality of the studies it examined. The findings suggest promising directions for future research but aren’t yet proven enough for doctors to use in everyday practice. The researchers themselves noted that more rigorous, long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings.

What the Results Show

The review found consistent patterns across multiple studies. Teenagers with curved spines frequently had lower levels of vitamin D and calcium in their blood compared to healthy teens. This is important because vitamin D and calcium are crucial for bone health, and scoliosis involves abnormal bone development and growth.

The research also showed that teens with curved spines had imbalances in several hormones. Specifically, they had unusual levels of leptin (a hormone that controls appetite and body weight), estrogen (a sex hormone), and ghrelin (a hormone that signals hunger). These hormonal differences suggest that the body’s chemical signaling systems may play a role in how the spine develops abnormally.

Another consistent finding was that bone metabolism markers—substances that show whether bones are breaking down or building up—were different in teens with scoliosis. These included markers like osteocalcin and P1NP, which indicate bone formation activity. Additionally, teens with curved spines showed lower levels of selenium, a trace mineral important for many body functions.

The review also highlighted emerging evidence about microRNAs and proteins that appear to be involved in scoliosis development and curve progression, though these findings are newer and need more confirmation.

Beyond the main findings, the review identified several other important patterns. Studies showed that multiple body systems appear to be affected in scoliosis, not just the spine itself. The combination of vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and altered bone metabolism suggests that scoliosis involves whole-body biological changes rather than being purely a structural spine problem. This systemic involvement could explain why some teenagers develop severe curves while others have mild ones.

This review builds on decades of research into what causes adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. While doctors have known that genetics and growth play roles, this review synthesizes newer evidence showing that blood chemistry is also involved. The findings align with previous research suggesting that hormonal factors during the teenage growth spurt influence spine development, but they add new detail by identifying specific substances that differ between affected and unaffected teens.

This review has several important limitations. First, it’s a summary of other studies, so its conclusions are only as strong as those studies. Second, many of the studies reviewed were small or had different methods, making it hard to compare results directly. Third, most research has been done in specific populations, so findings might not apply equally to all teenagers. Finally, finding a difference in blood markers doesn’t prove those markers cause scoliosis—they might just be associated with it. The researchers themselves emphasized that much more research is needed before these blood tests can be used in regular medical care.

The Bottom Line

Based on current evidence, blood biomarkers show promise for future clinical use but are not yet ready for routine screening or diagnosis. If you have a teenager with scoliosis or family history of the condition, continue with standard medical monitoring (physical exams and X-rays). Don’t request blood tests for scoliosis screening yet, as they’re not established as diagnostic tools. However, stay informed about new developments, as this research area is advancing. Confidence level: Moderate—the evidence is promising but preliminary.

This research matters most to teenagers with diagnosed scoliosis, their families, and doctors who treat spine conditions. It’s also relevant to researchers developing new diagnostic tools. If you have a mild curve that’s being monitored, these findings suggest future tests might help predict whether your curve will worsen. If you have a family history of scoliosis, this research offers hope for better early detection methods in the future.

If blood tests for scoliosis become available, they likely won’t be ready for 3-5 years or more. Researchers need to complete larger studies, validate the tests’ accuracy, and get medical approval. In the meantime, standard monitoring with physical exams and occasional X-rays remains the best approach for managing scoliosis.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you have scoliosis, track your spine curve measurements (from X-rays or doctor visits) every 3-6 months, noting the date and degree of curvature. Also record your vitamin D intake through diet and supplements, as this may become relevant if blood tests are developed.
  • Start ensuring adequate vitamin D and calcium intake through diet (dairy products, leafy greens, fortified foods) or supplements as recommended by your doctor. While this won’t prevent scoliosis, maintaining good bone health supports overall spine health. Also maintain regular exercise and good posture habits.
  • Create a health timeline in your app documenting: doctor visit dates, X-ray results and curve measurements, any symptoms or pain, vitamin D/calcium supplementation, and exercise routines. When blood biomarker tests become available, you’ll have baseline data to compare against. Share this information with your doctor at each visit.

This review summarizes research about blood markers in scoliosis but does not constitute medical advice. Blood biomarker tests for scoliosis diagnosis are not yet approved for routine clinical use. If you or your teenager has concerns about spine health or has been diagnosed with scoliosis, consult with a qualified healthcare provider (orthopedic surgeon or spine specialist) for proper evaluation and treatment. Do not use this information to self-diagnose or self-treat. Standard medical monitoring with physical exams and imaging remains the current standard of care for scoliosis management.