Original papers presented in the first part of current issue cover various aspects of pediatric spine pathologies.

Chowanska et al. analyze the usefulness of pediatric spine clinical examination in standing position with Adams forward bending test as a screening for scoliotic and kyphotic deformity.

Sitting position has an advantage over widely accepted standing position as it provides postural stability, reduces the influence of pelvic obliquity or rotation and limb length discrepancy on spinal alignment. The study shows that clinical parameters acquired in sitting correlated better with surface topography. The data from the study itself may have practical applications as it provides more accurate way of screening patients for pediatric spine pathologies by reducing the large amount of false-positive and false-negative results.

Stolinski et al. evaluated postural active self correction in children in a response to “stand straight” and “straighten-up” commands. Authors proved that in contrast to parents and caregiver intentions, after such commands children tend to perform incorrect motion sequence leading to worsening of spinal alignment. This suggest that children need to be educated in terms of understanding correct and incorrect posture as well as in the appropriate methods of active self correction. It is important to note that this issue is not addressed adequately in the program of physical education or corrective gymnastics classes.