• sport's injuries: This is the most common cause of back pain in children. Back pain is common after a minor fall or other injury which can cause a muscle pull or ligament strain. The pain can be treated with antiinflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, rest, and ice and it should improve over five to seven days. Severe pain or pain that is not slowly improving should be evaluated by your doctor, especially after a more serious injury or high fall.
• spondylolysis: this is a frequent cause of back pain, occurring in almost 5% of children. It is caused by a defect in the lower vertebra of the spinal column. The pain is usually worse with activity and improves after a rest period. Treatment for mild cases involves limiting the activities that make the pain worse, while more severe cases may require bracing and rarely surgery. Some children with this condition may not have any symptoms.
• disk herniation: this is a rare cause of back pain in children, but a herniated disk may cause back pain and numbness or weakness. Treatment is usually with bed rest and rarely surgery for severe cases.
• diskitis: this is an infection of the disk space and can cause fever, back pain, irritability (especially in younger children), muscle spasms in the back and it may cause some children to hold their spine straight and/or refuse to stand or walk. The infection may also cause changes on an x-ray (narrowing of the disk space). A bone scan or MRI may need to be done to confirm the diagnosis, especially early in the infection when x-rays may be normal. Treatment is with bed rest a long course of antibiotics (controversial, and some studies suggest you may get better without antibiotics).
• pyelonephritis: this is a kidney infection that can cause back or flank pain. Children will usually have a sharp pain on one side of their back, fever, nausea, and pain or burning with urination. You should call you doctor immediately if you suspect your child has this infection.
• Scheurman's kyphosis: this disorder occurs most commonly in adolescent males and it causes a round shape to the upper back. Keep in mind that children with poor posture and a round back are normal if they can straighten their back on their own (flexible kyphosis). If the kyphosis is non-flexible (it is not corrected by standing up straight) then it may cause back pain. Moderate to severe cases may require bracing, but mild cases usually require no treatment.
• spondylolisthesis: some children with spondylolysis develop a forward slippage of their 5th vertebra with their sacrum. Mild cases require observation only, but more severe cases may require surgery.
• Other causes of back pain are more rare, but can include tumors or neoplasms, trauma, arthritis (JRA) and other infections (osteomyelitis).

Important disclaimer: The information on keepkidshealthy.com is for educational purposes only and should not be considered to be medical advice. It is not meant to replace the advice of the physician who cares for your child. All medical advice and information should be considered to be incomplete without a physical exam, which is not possible without a visit to your doctor.