早發性脊柱側彎是指發病年齡小於5歲的兒童，其脊椎骨自正常垂直中線偏離形成側彎和旋轉且Cobb angle>10度，引起的原因多且複雜，造成的影響不僅是外觀上的改變，嚴重時會使心肺系統衰竭。治療則須視側彎原因、角度及骨骼成熟度而定，非手術治療包括觀察、背架穿著及復健運動，盡量延緩手術，讓脊柱成長和肺部發育，手術治療包括脊椎延長術、胸廓擴大術、椎體生長調整術及半椎體切除術等，早發型脊柱側彎照護旨在促進兒童身體與心理舒適，協助背架穿著、減輕身體心像衝擊、提供活動受限之照護、體石膏護理及手術護理，藉由醫療團隊照護及建立病友間溝通的網路，提供脊柱側彎兒童與家屬完整的照護。

Early onset scoliosis (EOS) is a complex disorder with spinal deformity noted before the age of five. The etiology of this disorder reveals that it is of multiple origins: congenital, idiopathic, syndromatic or neuromuscular. In addition to trunk deformity, resulting cardiopulmonary distress is of great concern. Conservative treatments are observation, riser cast use, exercise, and bracing; while the surgical interventions are excision, growing rod techniques, or insertion of a vertical expandable prosthesis titanium rib (VEPTR). The nursing role is characterized by improving the general health of sick kids, through cast care, brace compliance, adaptation of body image, and influencing the physical and psychological acceptance of kids and parents. A multi-medial professional team approach would provide the best care for such a complex disorder.