Who performs neonatal hip assessment: is there a cause for concern?

OBJECTIVE: The UK falls behind other European countries in the early detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and screening strategies differ for early detection. Clinical detection of DDH is challenging and recognised to be dependent on examiner experience. No studies exist assessing the number of personnel currently involved in such assessments.Our objective was to review the current screening procedure by studying a cohort of newborn babies in one teaching hospital and assess the number of health professionals involved in neonatal hip assessment and the number of examinations undertaken during one period by each individual. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study assessing all babies born consecutively over a 14-week period in 2020. Record of each initial baby check was obtained from BadgerNet. Follow-up data on ultrasound or orthopaedic outpatient referrals were obtained from clinical records. RESULTS: 1037 babies were examined by 65 individual examiners representing 9 different healthcare professional groups. The range of examinations conducted per examiner was 1-97 with a median of 5.5 examinations per person. 49% of individuals examined 5 or less babies across the 14 weeks, with 18% only performing 1 examination. Of the six babies (0.48%) treated for DDH, one was picked up on neonatal assessment. CONCLUSION: In a system where so many examiners are involved in neonatal hip assessment, the experience is limited for most examiners. Currently high rates of late presentation of DDH are observed locally, which are in accordance with published national experience. The potential association merits further investigation.

An Eastern Europe and Middle East multinational expert Delphi consensus study on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip before walking age.

PURPOSE: The incidence of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is higher in Eastern Europeans and Middle Easterners. This study aimed to establish consensus among experts in this geographical area on the management of DDH before walking age. METHODS: Fourteen experienced orthopedic surgeons agreed to participate in a four-round online consensus panel by the Delphi method. The questionnaire included 31 statements concerning the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of DDH before walking age. RESULTS: Consensus was established for 26 (84%) of 31 statements. Hip ultrasonography is the proper diagnostic tool under six months in DDH; universal newborn hip screening between three and six weeks is necessary; positive family history, breech presentation, female gender, and postnatal swaddling are the most important risk factors; Ortolani, Barlow tests, and limitation of abduction are the most important clinical findings; Pavlik harness is the first bracing preference; some Graf type IIa hips and all Graf type IIb and worse hips need abduction bracing treatment; the uppermost age limit for closed and open reductions is 12 months and 12-24 months, respectively; anatomic reduction is essential in closed and open reductions, postoperative MRI or CT is not always indicated; anterior approach open reduction is better than medial approach open reduction; forceful reduction and extreme positioning of the hips (> 60° hip abduction) are the two significant risk factors for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study may be useful for clinicians because a practical reference, based on the opinions of the multinational expert panel, but may not be applicable to all settings is provided.

Ambulatório de Displasia do Desenvolvimento dos Quadris (DDQ) do Hospital do Servidor Público Municipal de São Paulo (HSPM-SP) / Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips (DDH) Outpatient Clinic at the Hospital do Servidor Público Municipal de São Paulo (HSPM-SP)

Introdução: A Displasia do Desenvolvimento do Quadril (DDQ) é uma doença caracterizada pela alteração anatômica durante a diferenciação embriológica do quadril ou durante o crescimento e desenvolvimento deste. O diagnóstico precoce tem grande importância na DDQ, pois logo que detectada qualquer anormalidade no quadril pediátrico, é possível uma intervenção precoce, a fim de realizar um tratamento não invasivo e de baixo custo. Ainda não existe um protocolo estabelecido de rastreio com ultrassonografia (USG) para a DDQ no Brasil. Objetivo: Implementar uma sistemática de rastreio universal para displasia do desenvolvimento dos quadris em um hospital público na cidade de São Paulo. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura a fim de justificar a importância da criação e estruturação de um Ambulatório Especializado em DDQ no Hospital do Servidor Público Municipal. Essa revisão buscou demonstrar os benefícios de um diagnóstico precoce. A partir disso, montou-se a estruturação do ambulatório. Serão acompanhados no ambulatório todos os recém-nascidos dependentes de servidores públicos municipais de São Paulo, de acordo com o protocolo estabelecido pela Instituição. Resultados: Foi proposto um modelo de atendimento envolvendo: exame físico e exames complementares, diagnóstico, tratamento conservador e/ou cirúrgico e seguimento dos pacientes. Conclusão: O atendimento do paciente portador de DDQ será centralizado. Isso inclui as etapas de diagnóstico, avaliação da evolução nos diferentes estágios do acompanhamento, tratamento com órteses específicas ou realização de cirurgias complementares. Toda a equipe multidisciplinar será composta por profissionais capacitados e treinados, em um ambiente único, o que evitará encaminhamentos. Palavras-chave: Displasia do desenvolvimento dos quadris. Ambulatório. Diagnóstico.

Incidence of Neonatal Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip and Late Detection Rates Based on Screening Strategy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Universal ultrasonographic screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) has gained increasing popularity despite the lack of benefit in terms of reducing the rates of late-detected cases (age ≥12 weeks) in randomized clinical trials. Objective: To report the reported incidence of DDH in the English scientific literature and compare rates of late-detected cases in settings with different DDH screening strategies. Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched on November 25 and 27, 2021. No time filters were used in the search. Study Selection: All observational studies reporting the incidence of early-detected or late-detected (age ≥12 weeks) DDH were included. Non-English reports were excluded if the abstract did not include enough information to be included for analysis. Data Extraction and Synthesis: The number of newborns screened and the detection rates were extracted. Meta-analysis calculated the pooled incidence of DDH per 1000 newborns with 95% CIs using a random- or fixed-effects model. This study is reported according to the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome measures were early detection, early treatment, late detection, and operative treatment incidences. Results: A total of 1899 studies were identified, 203 full texts were assessed, and 76 studies with 16 901 079 infants were included in final analyses. The early detection rate was 8.4 (95% CI, 4.8-14.8) infants with DDH per 1000 newborns with clinical screening, 4.4 (95% CI, 2.4-8.0) infants with DDH per 1000 newborns with selective ultrasonographic screening, and 23.0 (95% CI, 15.7-33.4) infants with DDH per 1000 newborns with universal ultrasonographic screening. Rates for nonoperative treatment were 5.5 (95% CI, 2.1-14) treatments per 1000 newborns with clinical screening, 3.1 (95% CI, 2.0-4.8) treatments per 1000 newborns with selective ultrasonographic screening, and 9.8 (95% CI, 6.7-14.4) treatments per 1000 newborns with universal ultrasonographic screening. The incidence of late-detected DDH was 0.5 (95% CI, 0.2-1.5) infants with DDH per 1000 newborns with clinical screening, 0.6 (95% CI, 0.3-1.3) infants with DDH per 1000 newborns with selective ultrasonographic screening, and 0.2 (95% CI, 0.0-0.8) infants with DDH per 1000 newborns with universal ultrasonographic screening. The corresponding incidences of operative treatment were 0.2 (95% CI, 0.0-0.9) operations per 1000 newborns with clinical screening, 0.5 (95% CI, 0.4-0.7) operations per 1000 newborns with selective ultrasonographic screening, and 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2-0.7) operations per 1000 newborns with universal ultrasonographic screening. Conclusions and Relevance: This meta-analysis found that early detection rates and nonoperative treatments were higher with universal screening. The late detection and operative treatment rates with universal screening were similar to those among selectively and clinically screened newborns. Based on these results, universal screening may cause initial overtreatment without reducing the rates of late detection and operative treatment.

Cold Weather as a Risk Factor for Late Diagnosis and Surgery for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: Newborn hip screening aims to prevent the late diagnosis of and subsequent surgical procedures for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Weather may affect how parents swaddle their babies in early life, but weather has never been formally regarded as a risk factor in hip screening. This study investigates the association between the incidence of surgically treated DDH and the outdoor temperature. METHODS: Surgical procedures for late-diagnosed DDH were investigated in 12 birth-year cohorts (1999 to 2010) using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The number of children who underwent a DDH-related surgical procedure between 6 months and 5 years of age per total live births was evaluated as an outcome of hip screening. Trend and regression analyses were used to determine the association between the incidence of surgically treated DDH and birth year, birth month, and the temperature during the birth month and first 3 months of life. RESULTS: The mean incidence of surgically treated DDH was 0.48 per 1,000 live births (1,296 surgically treated patients per 2,712,002 live births). The incidence of surgically treated DDH among babies born in winter months (0.70 per 1,000) was significantly higher than that among babies born in summer months (0.32 per 1,000), and it was significantly correlated with mean temperature in the first 3 months of life (r2 = 0.91; p < 0.0001) and birth month (r2 = 0.68; p < 0.001). Multivariable regression revealed that external temperature in the first 3 months of life was the most significant factor (ß = -0.034 [95% confidence interval, -0.042 to -0.022]; p < 0.001) for the incidence of surgically treated DDH (adjusted r2 = 0.485). The trend of seasonal differences remained the same throughout the study years following implementation of the hip-screening policy. CONCLUSIONS: As the incidence of surgically treated DDH is the ultimate outcome of newborn hip screening, cold weather should be regarded as a risk factor and should be incorporated into future screening programs. Weather patterns of different geographical areas should be studied to determine if children born in the winter are at an increased risk for requiring a surgical procedure for DDH, and newborn hip-screening programs should be revised accordingly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Recomendaciones en la pesquisa y diagnóstico de la displasia del desarrollo de las caderas / Screening and diagnostic recommendations in the developmental dysplasia of the hip

La displasia del desarrollo de la cadera (DDC) es una anomalía de la articulación coxofemoral caracterizada por una laxitud o posicionamiento anormal de la cabeza femoral con respecto al acetábulo. Es la patología ósea perinatal más frecuente, e incluye alteraciones que van desde el aplanamiento o la displasia acetabular hasta una luxación completa de la cabeza femoral fuera de la articulación, que puede comprometer el desarrollo y la estabilidad articular. Nuestro objetivo es transmitir una sistemática de estudio en la valoración de la cadera del recién nacido, haciendo énfasis en un examen físico correcto como pilar fundamental en la detección de la DDC, y orientar al pediatra en la selección adecuada del método diagnóstico complementario acorde a edad del paciente, con el fin de optimizar la detección y reducir el número de caderas luxadas en etapas tempranas y tardías, y así disminuir la incidencia de patologías asociadas desarrolladas a partir de este trastorno

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a hip joint anomaly that is characterized by a laxity or abnormal positioning of the femoral head with respect to the acetabulum. It is the most common perinatal pathology of the skeleton and includes a spectrum of alterations ranging from flattening or acetabular dysplasia, to a complete dislocation of the femoral head outside the joint that can compromise joint development and stability. The purpose of this presentation is to transmit a systematic study in the evaluation of the newborn's hip, emphasizing a correct physical examination as primordial in the detection of DDH. Also, guide the pediatriciain the proper selection of the complementary diagnostic method to be used according to the age of the patient, in order to optimize detection and reduce the number of dislocated hips in early and late stages as well as the incidence of related pathologies.

Interobserver agreement and clinical disparity between the Graf method and femoral head coverage measurement in developmental dysplasia of the hip screening: A prospective observational study of 198 newborns.

ABSTRACT: Ultrasonography is the ideal tool for assessing hip morphology in infants younger than 6-month-old. This study assessed the interobserver agreement and clinical disparities of the 2 most widely used ultrasound (US) methods, the Graf method, and femoral head coverage (FHC) measurement.A prospective observational study (STROBE compliant) of 2024 newborns was conducted between January 2017 and December 2018. Hip US was conducted on all newborns with abnormal Barlow and Ortolani maneuvers as well as on 50 randomly selected normal newborns. The physical examination and US were performed by a senior pediatric orthopedic surgeon with musculoskeletal sonography certification. Three observers with different levels of experience interpreted the images by using the Graf method and FHC. We analyzed the intraclass correlation coefficient, Cohen kappa, and the disparity between the clinical findings of the 2 methods.A total of 198 newborns (9.8%) presented with clinical instability, including 193 subluxatable hips in 168 patients (84.8%) and 45 dislocatable/dislocated hips in 30 patients (15.2%). The mean age at US examination was 11.69 days (range: 0-18 days). The intraclass correlation coefficient was .71 (95% CI: 0.55-0.83) for FHC, 0.63 (95% CI: 0.38-0.78) for the alpha angle, and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.16-0.69) for beta angle. The Cohen kappa coefficients of Graf type were 0.19 (95% CI: 0.03-0.35), 0.39 (95% CI: 0.20-0.58), and 0.17 (95% CI: 0.02-0.32) between observers 1 and 2, observers 1 and 3, and observers 2 and 3, respectively. Based on the Graf method, 14% of the stable hips had abnormal USs; by contrast, 19.2% of the subluxatable hips and 17.8% of the dislocatable/dislocated hips had normal Graf morphologies. In USs interpreted using FHC, 16% of stable hips demonstrated abnormal coverage, whereas 13.5% of subluxatable hips and 4.4% of dislocatable/dislocated hips had normal FHC.Incidence of clinically detectable hip instability was 9.8% among newborns in our series. Both alpha angle and FHC ratio revealed substantial interobserver agreement while beta angle achieved moderate agreement. FHC ratio possesses higher sensitivity and similar specificity compared with the Graf method when screening unstable hips.Level II, development of diagnostic criteria on basis of consecutive patients.

Can developmental dysplasia of the hip be identified in the prenatal period? A pilot study: Ultrasonographic evaluation and postnatal follow-up results of fetal hips in the third trimester.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the predictability of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in the prenatal period by means of evaluating fetal hips using the Graf method on obstetric ultrasonography (US) after the 34th week of gestation. METHODS: A total of 84 pregnant women (mean age = 27.04; age range = 19-46 years), who were referred to our radiology clinic for an obstetric US examination in the third trimester, and their fetuses were included in this study. In the obstetric US, alpha angles of both hips of the fetuses were measured based on Graf's method, and each case was assessed ultrasonographically by a second physician at 6-10 postnatal weeks. Prenatal and postnatal hips were then classified according to alpha angles as ≥ 60° or < 60°. The kappa coefficients between the diagnoses based on prenatal and postnatal alpha angles were calculated. RESULTS: According to the postnatal alpha angle, 77 fetuses were diagnosed to have type 1 right hip and 7 fetuses had type 2A right hip. The prenatal alpha angle provided the same results (77 type 1 and 7 type 2A right hips). Similarly, the postnatal alpha angle revealed type 1 left hip in 82 fetuses and type 2A left hip in 2 fetuses, which was the same as the diagnoses based on the prenatal alpha angles. There was a complete agreement between prenatal and postnatal alpha measurements for both the left and right hips (kappa = 1.00, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Evidence from this study has revealed that DDH can be identified by obstetric ultrasonographic examinations in the prenatal period.

Displasia del desarrollo de la cadera: tamizaje y manejo en el lactante / Developmental dysplasia of the hip: screening and management in the infant

La displasia del desarrollo de la cadera comprende un conjunto de anormalidades que afectan la articulación coxofemoral: la displasia, subluxación y luxación de la cadera. El concepto de "displasia" describe anormalidades en la estructura femoral, acetabular o ambas. Corresponde a la patología ortopédica más frecuente del recién nacido y lactante, lo que genera mucha preocupación e intranquilidad entre los padres, en los primeros controles sanos de sus hijos. Es una patología en la que un diagnóstico oportuno y precoz son la clave para poder realizar un tratamiento efectivo, obteniendo como resultado una cadera clínica y radiológicamente normal al finalizar el desarrollo esquelético. Para esto es fundamental conocer la patología e ir activamente en su búsqueda. Actualmente existe mucha discusión sobre la manera de pesquisar esta patología. En Chile, se realiza tamizaje universal con imagen -radiografía de pelvis- a todos los niños a los 3 meses de edad. El objetivo de la siguiente revisión, es traer a la práctica clínica actual de todos aquellos profesionales que se enfrentan en distintos escenarios a esta patología: médicos de atención primaria, enfermeras, médicos en etapas de destinación y formación en distintas regiones del país, pediatras y ortopedistas, aquellas características y signos de sospecha propios de esta enfermedad y detallar las herramientas para un correcto diagnóstico y oportuno tratamiento.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) comprises a set of abnormalities that affect the hip joint: hip dysplasia, subluxation, and dislocation. It is the most frequent orthopedic pathology of the newborn and infant, and it generates great concern among parents during the first health check-ups of their children. It is a condition in which a timely and early diagnosis is key to be able to carry out an effective treatment, obtaining as a result of a clinically and radiologically normal hip at the end of skeletal development. For this, it is essential to know this orthopedic condition and actively search for it. Currently, there is much discussion about how to screen DDH. In Chile, universal screening with imaging - pelvic radiography - is performed on all children at 3 months of age. The objective of the following review is to bring to the current clinical practice of all those professionals who face this pathology in different scenarios: primary care physicians, nurses, physicians in training stages in different regions of the country, pediatricians and orthopedic surgeons, signs of suspicion typical of the disease and detail the assessment tools for a correct diagnosis and timely treatment.

Investigation of sensory nerve endings in pulvinar, ligamentum teres, and hip joint capsule: A prospective immunohistochemical study of 36 cases with developmental hip dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to immunohistochemically identify and characterize the presence of sensory nerve endings (SNEs) in pulvinar, ligamentum teres (LT), and hip joint capsule (HJC) of children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). METHODS: Pulvinar, LT, and HJC specimens were obtained from 38 hips of 36 children (31 girls, five boys; mean age=49 months; age range=18-132 months) during open reduction surgery for DDH. All specimens underwent subsequent routine tissue processing (formalin fixation and paraffin embedding). To determine tissue morphology, haematoxylin and eosin staining was used. SNEs were analyzed immunohistochemically using a mouse monoclonal antibody against S-100 Beta Protein based on the classification of Freeman and Wyke including four types of SNEs including mechanoreceptors: type I Ruffini corpuscles, type II Pacini corpuscles, type III Golgi organs, and type IVa unmyelinated free nerve endings (FNEs). Additionally, children were sorted into three groups based on their age at the time of surgery: Group 1 (age <3 years; 19 hips of 18), Group 2 (age: 3-5 years; 10 hips of 10 children), and Group 3 (age >5 years; 9 hips of 8 children). RESULTS: Although no Type I, II, or III SNEs were identified in any specimen, type IVa mechanoreceptor (FNEs) was immunohistochemically characterized in 13 (34%) pulvinar, 19 (50%) LT, and 16 (42%) HJC specimens. The total density of FNEs was 3.31±5.70)/50 mm2 (range 0-21) in pulvinar specimens, 3.18 ± 5.92)/50 mm2 (range 0-24) in HJC specimens, and 4.51±6.61/50 mm2 (range 0-22) in LT specimens. Furthermore, the operated side, gender, and the number of FNEs in specimens did not differ significantly among the age groups (p>0.05 for all), and the number of FNEs was not significantly correlated with age, gender, or the operated side (p>0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Evidence from this study revealed that pulvinar, LT, and HJC include only FNEs, which play a role in pain sensation, among mechanoreceptors. Surgical excision of these tissues may not cause a significant loss of sensory function in the hip joint of children with DDH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Therapeutic Study.

Diagnostic Performance of a New Convolutional Neural Network Algorithm for Detecting Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip on Anteroposterior Radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a deep learning algorithm for the automated detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) on anteroposterior (AP) radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 2601 hip AP radiographs, 5076 cropped unilateral hip joint images were used to construct a dataset that was further divided into training (80%), validation (10%), or test sets (10%). Three radiologists were asked to label the hip images as normal or DDH. To investigate the diagnostic performance of the deep learning algorithm, we calculated the receiver operating characteristics (ROC), precision-recall curve (PRC) plots, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) and compared them with the performance of radiologists with different levels of experience. RESULTS: The area under the ROC plot generated by the deep learning algorithm and radiologists was 0.988 and 0.988-0.919, respectively. The area under the PRC plot generated by the deep learning algorithm and radiologists was 0.973 and 0.618-0.958, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the proposed deep learning algorithm were 98.0, 98.1, 84.5, and 99.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis of DDH by the algorithm and the radiologist with experience in pediatric radiology (p = 0.180). However, the proposed model showed higher sensitivity, specificity, and PPV, compared to the radiologist without experience in pediatric radiology (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The proposed deep learning algorithm provided an accurate diagnosis of DDH on hip radiographs, which was comparable to the diagnosis by an experienced radiologist.

Efficacy of closed reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip: midterm outcomes and risk factors associated with treatment failure and avascular necrosis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of closed reduction (CR) in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and to investigate risk factors associated with CR failure and avascular necrosis (AVN) occurrence in follow-ups. METHODS: The study retrospectively included 110 patients and 138 hips with DDH diagnosis that underwent closed reduction between February 2012 and November 2015 in our single tertiary medical institution. The failure rate of CR and the underlying risk factors were evaluated. Meanwhile, the incidence of AVN and the related risk factors among the successful CR cases were assessed. RESULTS: The overall failure rate of DDH treated by CR in the present study was 31.16% (43/138). Risk factors for the CR failure were older age at the time of CR (≥ 18.35 month), large medical interval before CR (≥ 35.35 mm), and severer dislocation of the affected hip (IDHI grades III and IV). The incidence of AVN was 8.33% (6/72) in patients with successful CR at the last follow-up. No significant risk factors had been established in the present study that associated with the AVN occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of DDH with CR, patients with younger age might achieve better outcomes; early diagnosis and early treatment might be the key point in the DDH treatment.

Effectiveness of different types of ultrasonography screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Infant hip screening for early detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is essential as early detection can enable less invasive treatments and achieve better long-term results. A previous meta-analysis assessed about 10,000 infants per group, which is insufficient for evaluating the effect of different infant hip screening strategies on early detection and treatment of DDH. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using both randomized controlled trials and cohort studies to determine the effects of universal hip ultrasonography screening (UHUS) and selective hip ultrasonography screening (SHUS) on the incidence of late-diagnosed DDH. METHODS: A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed. The summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using fixed-effects models. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of five studies that met the eligibility criteria revealed a significant difference in late-diagnosed DDH (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.23-0.83) between infants screened using UHUS (n = 29,070) and those screened using SHUS (n = 30,442) in a fixed-effects model without heterogeneity among studies. In the subgroup analysis, meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials showed no significant difference in late-diagnosed DDH (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.20-1.39) between infants screened using UHUS (n = 11,453) and those screened using SHUS (n = 12,077) in a fixed-effects model with low heterogeneity among studies (I = 0.9%). However, meta-analysis of the cohort studies showed a significant difference in late-diagnosed DDH (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.17-0.89) between infants screened using UHUS (n = 17,617) and those screened using SHUS (n = 18,345) in a fixed-effects model with low heterogeneity among studies. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the impact of each study on the summary results was not significant. There was no publication bias in our meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests that a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of late-diagnosed DDH is possible when UHUS is adopted compared with SHUS. Our study provides information about the effects of different infant hip screening strategies on the incidence of late-diagnosed DDH, which can help decide upon which strategy to apply.

Development of an electronic navigation system for elimination of examiner-dependent factors in the ultrasound screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in newborns.

To develop an electronic navigation system to increase reliability and comparability in the ultrasound screening of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The impact of the navigation system on transducer positioning and on sonographic measurements according to Graf was analyzed. Twenty hips in newborns were examined sonographically using a new navigation system capable of detecting the transducer and pelvis position in order to calculate the relative tilt in the frontal, axial, and sagittal-plane. In each newborn an ultrasound image was obtained conventionally according to Graf and a second image using the sonographic navigation system. Relative roll and pitch angles and sonographic measurements were analyzed using paired T-tests and Levene-tests. Relative tilt angles in the conventional group ranged from - 8.9° to 14.3° (frontal-plane) and - 23.8° to 14.2° (axial-plane). In the navigation-assisted group ranges from - 3.0° to 3.5° and - 2.8° to 4.5° were observed. Variances were significantly lower in the navigation-assisted group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004 respectively). The navigation system allowed for a significant reduction of relative tilt angles between the transducer and the newborn pelvis, thus supporting an optimal transducer positioning. This is a promising approach to improve reproducibility and reliability in the ultrasound screening for DDH.

Recommendations for early diagnosis of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH): working group intersociety consensus document.

This consensus document has been prepared by a multidisciplinary group of experts (Paediatricians, Radiologists, Paediatric Orthopaedics) and it is mainly aimed at paediatricians, hospitals and primary care providers. We provide recommendations for the early diagnosis and treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) and indications on its management.

Hypermobility Assessment in 1,004 Adult Patients Presenting with Hip Pain: Correlation with Diagnoses and Demographics.

BACKGROUND: The strength of the association between hypermobility and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in adults is unknown. We sought to analyze this relationship in a prospective, blinded, institutional review board-approved, observational study. The hypothesis was that the prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) would be significantly higher in patients with hip dysplasia than in those with other hip diagnoses on the basis of clinical observations of joint laxity. METHODS: One thousand and four consecutive new patients (390 males and 614 females) seen over a 4-year period were evaluated for hypermobility of the hip using 2 criteria: the Beighton 9-point physical examination criteria and the Hakim-Grahame 5-item history questionnaire. Diagnosis, age, sex, and race were tested as predictors of hypermobility. Patient-reported outcome scores from the International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12) and the modified Harris hip score (mHHS) were also assessed. RESULTS: DDH was the primary diagnosis in 33.2% of the patient population. Patients who had dysplasia without osteoarthritis (OA) had a significantly elevated prevalence of GJH (77.9%) compared with those with nondysplastic hips (32.8%; p < 0.0001) or with patients who had dysplasia and OA (35.7%; p < 0.0001) according to either method. The odds ratio (OR) for patients with DDH versus those with other diagnoses was 7.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.1 to 10.0). The prevalence of hypermobility was significantly greater in females than in males (OR = 4.2 [95% CI: 3.2 to 5.5]; p < 0.0001). The prevalence of GJH was inversely proportional to age. There was a significantly reduced prevalence of GJH observed in Hispanic patients (p < 0.05) compared with other races. GJH was not a predictor of patient-reported outcome scores (p = 0.51 for iHOT-12 and p = 0.44 for mHHS). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this study is the first to establish a strong association between hypermobility and DDH in adults, confirming the hypothesis. We recommend utilizing both the Beighton and Hakim-Grahame scoring systems together as routine components of the history and physical examination for patients with hip dysplasia. Further research is warranted to explore the genetic basis and potential causal relationships between soft-tissue laxity and skeletal dysplasia, as well as improvements in assessment tools. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip encompasses a range of hip abnormalities in which the femoral head and acetabulum fail to develop and articulate anatomically. Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a clinically important condition, with a prevalence of 1-2/1000 in unscreened populations and 5-30/1000 in clinically screened populations. The pathology is incongruence between the femoral head and the acetabulum, which can be caused by an abnormally shaped femoral head, acetabulum, or both. This results in a spectrum of different hip abnormalities. The precise aetiology behind developmental dysplasia of the hip is unclear, but there are a number of established risk factors. In the UK, universal clinical examination of newborns and 6-8-week-old babies is performed under the national UK newborn screening programme for developmental dysplasia of the hip (part of the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination). The physical examination of the newborn hip involves initial inspection of the infant for any of the clinical features of developmental dysplasia of the hip, followed by hip stability tests (Barlow's and Ortolani's tests). Hip ultrasound is the gold standard diagnostic and monitoring tool for developmental dysplasia of the hip in newborns and infants under 6 months of age, or until ossification of the femoral head. Some mild cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip (and the immature hip) resolve without requiring intervention; however, there are a number of treatments, both non-operative and operative, that may be used at various stages of this condition.

Evaluation of primary care 6- to 8-week hip check for diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip: a 15-year observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The current 6- to 8-week Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) clinical assessment is a current standard hip-screening test in the community (England) to detect developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). AIM: To assess the value of the primary care 6- to 8-week clinical hip examination for the diagnosis of DDH. DESIGN AND SETTING: A single-centre 15-year observational cohort study at a district general hospital between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2010. METHOD: Those referred by the GP or community practitioner with suspected instability or abnormality of the hip joint (DDH), were clinically and sonographically examined in a specialist hip-screening clinic. Modified Graf Type III and IV, and radiological irreducible hip dislocation were considered to be 'pathological' hips. Screening failures were defined as those who had not been identified by this primary care screening assessment (but had irreducible hip dislocation). Secondary univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine which clinical findings are predictive of instability. RESULTS: Over the study period, there were 70 071 infants who underwent the 6- to 8-week clinical hip assessment. In the specialist hip-screening clinic, six (from the 170 referred) were diagnosed with pathological DDH. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the 6- to 8-week clinical hip assessment were 16.7%, 99.8%, 3.5%, and 100.0%, respectively. A multivariable model showed a positive Ortolani manoeuvre to be the sole independent predictor of instability at 6 to 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: This 15-year study highlights the limitations of a hip check at 6 to 8 weeks. These findings support the reassessment of the national guidelines for this aspect of the NIPE DDH screening programme.

Correction of the acetabular index is more crucial than the type of acetabuloplasty in developmental dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Acetabular remodeling may not be predictable after open reduction in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in older children. Several acetabuloplasties have been developed, and all are aimed at correcting the dysplastic acetabulum. The goal of this study is to evaluate if the type of pelvic acetabuloplasty and the corrected (postoperative) acetabular index (AI) affect early follow-up femoral head coverage. METHODS: A retrospective review of single-surgeon consecutive acetabuloplasties (Dega or Pemberton) from December 2012 to December 2015 was conducted. The inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of DDH, undergoing simultaneous primary open reduction, and follow-up of at least 18 months. Univariable analysis was based on the type of acetabuloplasty. The correlation between AI and final center edge angle (CEA) was tested. Multiple regression was performed. RESULTS: Of the total 58 hips in 39 patients included, 41 underwent Dega acetabuloplasty, and 17 had Pemberton acetabuloplasty. The median follow-up was 40.50 months (interquartile range 27.25-57). Pemberton acetabuloplasty produced a lower corrected AI, but the difference was not significant in follow-up measurements. Corrected AI was significantly correlated with final CEA (R = - 0.31, P = 0.018). In the multiple regression, only corrected AI was independently associated with final CEA (B = - 0.29, SE = 0.15, P = 0.06), whereas the type of acetabuloplasty, age, and preoperative severity of the dislocation were not. CONCLUSION: The correction obtained during acetabuloplasty affects early follow-up femoral head coverage. Ensuring proper sizing and placement of the grafted bone is probably more important than the type of acetabuloplasty chosen. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.