In congenital scoliosis, spinal curvature develops because of misshapen vertebrae. As a child grows, scoliosis may worsen, and asymmetries in the body may develop.
A child with an underlying neuromuscular condition is at higher risk for developing scoliosis. A straight spine requires normal muscle balance and strength in the torso. In conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy, the muscles are often weak and unbalanced, leading to the development of a spinal curvature.