400 suffer spinal injuries in Nepal quake

More than 400 people have sustained spinal cord injures in Nepal's deadly earthquake.

Over 1,000 people need major surgery, including for injuries to the spinal cord, head, chest, hands and legs, Xinhua reported citing Nepal's health ministry.

"The government is in the process of collecting data on the types and seriousness of all kinds of injuries and arranging treatment for the injured on the basis of seriousness, and the spinal injury cases will be given special care," said ministry spokesman Guna Raj Lohani.

Spinal cord injuries will lead to serious consequences if not treated properly, experts said, adding that untrained rescuers as well as a haste to rescue as many people as possible can add to complications.

For quake victims with spinal cord injuries, if they are pulled out of the rubble, dragged and carried to the hospital with insufficient consideration for spinal immobilization, their condition could become much worse, experts warn.