J Korean Pediatr Soc.  1993 Feb;36(2):179-184.

A study on the atlantoaxial instability in children with Down syndrome

• Kim SY
• Kim CY

Abstract

To evaluate the atlantoaxial instability in children with Down syndrome, the authors analyzed the 97 children with Down syndrome attending to 2 schools for handicaped children in Pusan. The rsults of study were as follows; 1)The incidence of atlantoaxial instability in 97 individuals with Down syndrome was 8(8.3%) in neutral position and in 10(10.3%) in flexion, respectively. 2) The mean atlantoaxial gap was significantly higher in patients with Down syndrome than in the control group(P<0.05). 3) The mean atlantoaxial gaps in patients with Down stydrome according neck position was significantly higher in flexion(3.27 +/-1.08mm)than in neutral(2.63 +/-1.18)(p<0.05). 4) When mean atlantoaxial gaps of patients with Down syndrome were analyzed according to age groups, young age groups were statistically higher than old age groups in flexion position(p<0.05) but no statistically signigican differences were in neutral position. 5) The mean atlantoaxial gap of obese group was slightly higher than those of non-obese group but no statistically significant difference was noted(p<0.05).

Keyword

Atlantoaxial instability; Down syndrome

MeSH Terms

Busan
Child*
Down Syndrome*
Humans
Incidence
Neck