Abstract Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of spinal deformity, which progress rapidly in adolescence. Patients without intervention can cause serious cardiopulmonary diseases as well as physical and mental health problem. Early screening and intervention can reduce probability that progress to operation and improve the prognosis. At present, China has not carried out extensive screening for scoliosis, and has not developed a unified screening standard, resulting in cross sectional comparison between various studies. The article focuses on the current situation of adolescent scoliosis research and the dispute of screening and puts forward suggestions.