Symptoms And Causes Of Abetalipoproteinemia

Scoliosis

Scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, is a possible complication that may occur for children with abetalipoproteinemia. For patients with scoliosis, the spine curves sideways, and the degree of the curve may become more severe as a child grows. Patients with this spinal problem may have uneven shoulders, and one hip might be higher than another. The condition may lead to chronic back pain, even in adults. In particularly advanced cases, patients may have breathing difficulties and cardiac symptoms if the rib cage begins to press on the lungs or heart. To treat scoliosis, patients sometimes wear a special brace that can prevent further curvature of the spine. For patients with advanced forms of the condition, surgical intervention may be required to straighten the spine.