What is A Down syndrome patient is posted for surgery, the necessary preoperative investigation to be done is: and explain in detail?
a. Echocardiography > c. X-ray cervical spine(Ref: Nelson's 20/e p 610-615, Ghai 8/e p 637-639)Congenital heart diseases are more common in Down syndrome (in 50%), than atlantoaxial instability (20%); so a preoperative echocardiogram is warranted, so that management of child can be planned accordingly.