title: Craniovertebral junction abnormalities in Down syndrome.
abstract: Children with Down syndrome may have occipitocervical and atlantoaxial instability. To prevent neurologic injury during athletic competitions, such as the Special Olympics, radiographic cervical spine screening was established in 1983 as a prerequisite for participation in some events. This review discusses the biomechanics underlying upper cervical instability in children with Down syndrome, the evolution of cervical spine screening protocols, and current opinion regarding management for children with Down syndrome and upper cervical instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Neurological Institute of New York, New York, New York 10032, USA. tch12@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Todd C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hankinson
authors.forename: Richard C E
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008403:Mass Screening; D012307:Risk Factors; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control