Scoliosis screening is required for all students in the 6th and 8th grades who attend public school in Georgia.
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. About 3% of children are affected by scoliosis. It can occur at any age but is often noticeable between the ages of 9 and 16, when growth occurs rapidly. Early detection is important to avoid potentially serious problems later in life if a spinal curve is not recognized, treated, and it continues to progress. The screening test is an observation of the child’s back when standing and bending forward. There are options for how the screening can be completed:
• Submit a completed
Form #4400, Certificate of Scoliosis screening. Form #4400 can be
completed by a physician with an active GA license or person working under thesupervision of a physician with an active GA license, the local health department, or
licensed school nurse. A completed Form #4400 should be provided to the school within the first 90 days of 6th and 8th grade. Form #4400 can be found at dph.georgia.gov.• Children can participate in a school scoliosis screening event. Students without a
completed Form #4400 on file more than 90 days after the start of school will be askedto participate in scoliosis screening during a school screening event.
Parents or guardians can choose to not have their student screened for scoliosis by selecting the opt-out option on Form #4400 or opt-out of the school scoliosis screening event later in the school year.
Thank you for ensuring your child is properly screened for scoliosis.
