About 10 percent of kids ages 10 to 15 have some degree of scoliosis. Fortunately, most cases of scoliosis at this age involve small curves that don’t require a doctor’s care. While scoliosis appears to be genetic, the cause of most types of scoliosis is still a mystery. Scientists have explored many different theories to explain why some kids get scoliosis while others don't, but we still haven't pinpointed any specific cause. While both boys and girls can get scoliosis, the condition usually progresses much more rapidly in girls than it does in boys.