ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2017 March;68(1):8-12

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4911.16.03778-2

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Developmental dysplasia of the hip: role of early ultrasound screening during neonatal age

Mauro ZAFFARONI ¹, Sara ZANETTA ¹, Benedetta GRISONE ², Ileana STELLA ¹, Giuseppe COLASANTO ², Alberto GIORGIS ¹, Francesca MATAROZZO ¹, Gino ROCCA ², Gianni BONA ¹ ✉

¹ Pediatric Clinic, “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, Novara, Italy; ² Pediatric Orthopedic and Traumatologic Department, “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, Novara, Italy

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound screening allows diagnosis and early treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH); however, disagreement persists on methods and time of execution.
MEHODS: Our study describes the results of early ultrasound screening, performed at birth or in the first three weeks of life, in patients with clinical signs and/or anamnestic risk factors for DDH. In the period between January 2011 and December 2015, on 10307 infants, born in Novara, 921 (8.9%) performed an early ultrasound examination.
RESULTS: Out of the 38 infants with clinical signs, ultrasound study confirmed an unilateral or bilateral DDH (type IIC, D, IIIA, IV) in 10 subjects, 11 with type IIA hips. In 883 patients with anamnestic risk factors, ultrasound examination has identified 4 cases of unilateral or bilateral DDH (type IIC, D, IIIA), 97 with type IIA hips. All children with DDH received orthopedic treatment and follow-up. Other 7 children born in Novara, who have no risk factors, performed orthopedic therapy and follow-up for DDH identified with universal screening performed at 2-3 months of life.
CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the usefulness of early ultrasound screening in patients at risk, for others is necessary to perform an ultrasound screening evaluation within 6-8 weeks of life, as suggested by Graf.

KEY WORDS: Bone diseases, developmental - Hip dislocation - Ultrasonography - Neonatal screening