Selective ultrasound screening may be effective in the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip among infants with risk factors and normal findings on physical examination, according to study results.
Of 530 ultrasound scans performed on infants from January 2007 through January 2011, the researchers found 217 had risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and normal findings on physical examination.
Randall Morris
According to study results, risk factors included breech presentation (76.5%), female sex (83.4%), firstborn status (30%), family history of DDH (2.8%) and intrauterine packaging abnormalities (13.4%). Among the infants, 44 had one risk factor; 121 had two risk factors; 46 had three risk factors and six had four risk factors for DDH. Following dynamic ultrasound evaluation, researchers found 17 patients had instability, all of which were treated with a Pavlik harness. This led to a 7.8% incidence of DDH. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
