Developmental Dysplasia of the Pediatric Hip with Emphasis on Sonographic Evaluation.

Developmental dislocation and/or dysplasia of the hip (DDH), formerly referred to as congenital dislocation of the hip, is a frequent problem of the neonatal and infant hip. At that age, the femoral head and acetabulum consist of cartilage components that are not visible on plain radiography but readily identified by ultrasound. Realtime sonography allows for assessment of the hip in multiple planes, both at rest and with movement. Ultrasound can replace radiographic studies and thereby reduce radiation exposure to the young infant.

Pediatric Bone Densitometry: Technical Issues.

Equipment and software used for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was developed for adults. As use of the method grows in pediatrics, understanding technical issues is important for those performing and interpreting DXA studies in infants, children, and adolescents. Detection of very low bone mineral density requires alteration of automated scan techniques. Normal values based on chronologic age have been published. The Z score becomes the more meaningful statistic as opposed to the T score used in reporting adult DXA measurement of bone mineral density.