Although the risk of injury is small, if any child or adult needs an anaesthetic the anaesthetist and recovery room staff must always be reminded of the diagnosis so that appropriate care can be taken to avoid cervical injury whilst manipulating the head and neck in the unconscious subject (9).Children with Down's syndrome should not be barred from sporting activities because there is no evidence that participation in sports increases the risk of cervical spine injury any more than for the general population (6,8).In particular, cervical spine X-rays in children have no predictive validity for subsequent acute dislocation/subluxation at the atlantoaxial joint (3,4,5,6,7) Currently there is no screening procedure which can predict those at risk.People with Down's Syndrome have a small risk for acute or chronic neurological problems caused by cervical spine instability (1,2).One of a set of guidelines drawn up by the Down's Syndrome Medical Interest Group:

Down's Syndrome Medical Interest Group (UK)īasic medical surveillance essentials for people with Down's Syndrome.

Unstable cervical spine x rays