Eleven children with a vertebral body flexion-compression fracture of the lower cervical spine were reviewed. Eight were treated non-operatively, two had a ventral interbody fusion and one a dorsal fusion. Follow-up time was 1 month to 12 years (mean 55 months). Following non-operative therapy six had a kyphotic deformity of more than 10 degrees at the last follow-up. Kyphosis cannot be prevented or cured by non-operative methods.