Is scoliosis hereditary?
Explore the genetic variants associated with scoliosis and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Scoliosis — a lateral curvature of the spine — most often arises in adolescence without a known cause (idiopathic). Twin and family studies show a clear hereditary component, and large studies have mapped variants near genes governing skeletal growth.
What the analysis shows
DNAHelper shows which scoliosis-associated variants your raw file contains. The result is a statistical association — not an X-ray, not a diagnosis. The analysis is based on the traits adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, scoliosis (40 associated variants, moderate evidence strength).
Which variants matter
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is polygenic — many loci each contribute a little, including near genes such as LBX1 and ADGRG6 (GPR126) that govern spinal development and growth.
Variants in these regions have been replicated in both European and East Asian cohorts, where scoliosis is most common.
What research has actually found
Genome-wide studies with tens of thousands of cases show consistent associations — but effect sizes are small, and genetics explains only part of why some people are affected.
Family history says more than any single variant: a first-degree relative raises risk more clearly than any individual rsID.
What matters more than genes
Sex (girls are more often affected by progressive curves), growth spurt and age at onset weigh more than genetic variants in clinical assessment.
A genetic result neither confirms nor rules out scoliosis — a body is examined with clinical assessment and, when needed, X-ray, not with DNA.
Limitations — read this before interpreting the result
This is educational information about statistical associations — not a medical statement, not a health test and not a statement about your health. The analysis is based on the traits adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, scoliosis (moderate evidence strength). If you suspect symptoms, contact healthcare — a predisposition is not a diagnosis.
Privacy: your file never leaves the browser
You pick your raw file locally — it is parsed and analysed entirely in your browser and is not uploaded for the standard analysis. The only exception is the optional DNA Chat feature where you, after explicit consent, can share selected variants. Read the privacy policy · What happens to your DNA file?
Compatible raw files
Works with raw data exports from MyHeritage, 23andMe, AncestryDNA and FamilyTreeDNA (.txt, .csv, .zip). The download guides show exactly where to find the file at your provider — and the file formats are explained here.
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