posture distortion in children - NICE guidance - suspected neurological conditions - recognition and referral

Last edited 05/2019

Posture distortion in children

Summary points from NICE guidance relating to posture distortion in children are:

Children with a recent head or neck trauma

  • refer immediately children with abnormal neck posture and a recent head or neck trauma to an emergency department for assessment

Children with no recent trauma

  • in children with abnormal neck posture, check whether painful cervical lymphadenopathy is the cause
  • refer children who develop abnormal limb posture that has no apparent musculoskeletal cause for neurological assessment
  • be aware that abnormal head tilt in children can be a symptom of posterior fossa tumour

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