Infants should be screened for hip trouble

Developmental hip dysplasia is the most common congenital defect in newborns. The condition occurs when a hip joint is shallow, unstable or when the joint is dislocated. Infants with the condition are often at risk of developing arthritis of the hip as a young adult. A new study published in the July 2009 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) finds that screening all infants for hip dysplasia can significantly decrease their chance of developing early arthritis.

“This study systematically evaluated what we know about hip dysplasia to determine the best screening strategy for newborns,” said study author Susan Mahan, MD, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon with Children’s Hospital in Boston and instructor in orthopaedic surgery at Harvard Medical School. “Our study confirms that pediatricians need to continue their current screening strategies for hip dysplasia. However, our findings refute a recent report from The United States Preventive Services Task Force that was unable to recommend screening strategies.”

Symptoms associated with hip dysplasia in infants can include: legs that appear asymmetrical during diaper change or a limp or waddle as a toddler walks.

Dr. Mahan and her colleagues analyzed data from more than 70 research studies and clinical trials dating back to 1939. They compared long-term outcomes in the following screening strategies:

* Ultrasound screening for hip dysplasia for all newborns
* A physical exam by a pediatrician for all newborns with ultrasound screening used selectively only for infants with risk factors
* No screening for any newborn

“We found that the best chance for avoiding early arthritis of the hip as a young adult occurs when you screen all babies with a physical clinical exam and utilize ultrasound for those who have risk factors,” said Dr. Mahan. Those risk factors include a family history of hip dysplasia, an infant delivered breech at birth, or positive physical exam.

Hip dysplasia can be difficult to detect, because it is a pain-free condition until adolescence or young adulthood when a patient can experience abnormal wear of the hip joint or hip arthritis.

If the condition is caught early, the most common treatment option for infants is a harness—consisting of a soft brace, straps and Velcro --that helps to hold the legs in an optimal position for hip development. If the condition is not identified until a child is older, a cast or surgery may be required to reposition the hip in the socket.

“We are trying to catch the cases that do not get better on their own,” explains Dr. Mahan. “The younger the child, the easier the condition is to treat. And, with early treatment, it is more likely that long-term complications may be avoided.”

###

Disclosure:

In support of their research for or preparation of this work, one or more of the authors received, in any one year, outside funding or grants in excess of $10,000 from the National Institutes of Health (#K24 AR02123 and #P60 AR47782), the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, and Siemens Health Care. Neither they nor a member of their immediate families received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors, or a member of their immediate families, are affiliated or associated.

Contact: Kristina Findlay

847-384-4034
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

RELATED STORIES:
Heat stroke preventable in young football players   Bird flu vaccine protects children   Mental deficits common after very preterm birth   Loud aircraft noise may affect children’s reading   Childhood obesity lower with household routines   Infection Control Intervention Helps Keep Kids in School   Some kids gain weight after adenotonsillectomy   Dyslexia varies across language barriers   Fast food + nearby schools = fat kids   Global Health Efforts Make Progress Against Child Deaths   Impact of domestic violence on kids can be reduced   Long-Term Complications of Melamine Consumption in Children

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]