A reappraisal of the Ortolani examination in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip

Developmental Hip Dysplasia: An Epidemiological Nationwide Study in Italy from 2001 to 2016

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) includes a broad spectrum of hip abnormalities. DDH requires early diagnosis and treatment; however, no international consensus on screening protocol and treatment is provided in the literature. Epidemiological studies are helpful to understand the national variation of a specific surgical procedure and compare it with that of other countries. Data provided by different countries could allow researchers to provide international guidelines for DDH screening and treatment. Limited data are reported regarding trends of hospitalization for DDH, and no public database is available. The purpose of this study was to estimate annual admissions for DDH in Italian patients from 2001 to 2016, based on the hospitalization reports. Data of this study were collected from the National Hospital Discharge Reports (SDO) reported at the Italian Ministry of Health. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. From 2001 to 2016, 3103 hospitalizations for DDH were recorded in Italy, with a mean incidence of 2.33 (per 100,000 young inhabitants). Females of the 0–4 years old group represented the majority of patients hospitalized for DDH.

Risk Factor Assessment and a Ten-Year Experience of DDH Screening in a Well-Child Population

Aim

Risk based screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) with ultrasound is common. However, risk factors vary from one country to the other since data are insufficient to give clear recommendations. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

Methods

In this retrospective case-control study, the health records of all children, who were followed up between 2004 and 2014 at a well-child unit, were investigated for the diagnosis of DDH in Turkey. Of 9758 children, 57 children were found to have abnormal ultrasonographic findings (according to Graf classification) and these constituted the case group. As the control group, healthy 228 children who matched the case children in birth months were selected. Two groups were compared for the risk factors.

Results

A total of 19516 hips of 9758 children were examined for DDH. 97 hips of 57 children were found to have abnormal ultrasonographic findings. When the two groups were compared, breech presentation, multiple pregnancy, and torticollis were identified as risk factors. The female sex was also found to have a significantly high prevalence among the children in the case group. Limited hip abduction, positive Ortolani, and Barlow signs were important clinical findings in the case group.

Conclusion

According to our findings, breech presentation, female sex, torticollis, and multiple pregnancy were found to be the risk factors of this disorder. Infants with these risk factors should be investigated carefully for DDH.

Analysis of acetabulum in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip by MRI scan

To review the value of acetabular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) of different ages.Eighty-eight medical records of children with unilateral DDH who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital between January 2010 and December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The affected hips were put into the case group, and the normal hips were put into the control group. All cases were further divided into 3 age groups: infant (<1 year), 16 cases; young children (1-3 years), 48 cases; and children (3-13 years), 24 cases. The differences of the acetabular depth (AD), the bony acetabular index (BAI), and the cartilaginous acetabular index (CAI) between each group were measured and compared for a linear correlation analysis. At the same time, the distribution of the acetabular cartilage in the anterosuperior, top, and posterosuperior parts (the three parts) from the two groups was measured, respectively.Measurement results from both the case and control groups were as follows: AD was 5.46 ± 2.62 mm and 9.74 ± 2.33 mm; BAI was 33.26 ± 5.49° and 23.50 ± 5.33°; and CAI was 21.04 ± 6.16° and 12.71 ± 4.83°. Differences from the two groups were statistically significant (t = 11.94, 13.78, 9.16, P < .05); BAI and CAI were linearly correlated (r = 0.86, 0.75, P < .05). The AD in infant, young children, and children groups from the case group were 4.26 ± 0.42 mm, 4.79 ± 1.74 mm, and 7.31 ± 2.74 mm, respectively, which was statically significant as well (F = 11.37, P < .05). Under the same grouping criteria, BAI was recorded as 29.04 ± 5.11°, 34.56 ± 4.27°, and 33.12 ± 5.69°; CAI was recorded as 16.62 ± 5.50°, 21.79 ± 6.33°, and 20.91 ± 6.40° separately. There was a linear correlation (r = 0.78, 0.65, P < .05) between BAI and CAI in young children and children groups. The distribution of acetabular cartilage in the above-mentioned three parts from both young children and children groups was statistically significant (P < .05).MRI is a satisfactory imaging modality to children with DDH of different ages for the assessment of AD, BAI, CAI, and acetabular cartilage in multiple locations. It can provide ample imaging reference to clinical evaluation of the acetabulum development in DDH.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip: What has changed in the last 20 years?

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) describes the spectrum of structural abnormalities that involve the growing hip. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to provide the best possible functional outcome. Persistence of hip dysplasia into adolescence and adulthood may result in abnormal gait, decreased strength and increased rate of degenerative hip and knee joint disease. Despite efforts to recognize and treat all cases of DDH soon after birth, diagnosis is delayed in some children, and outcomes deteriorate with increasing delay of presentation. Different screening programs for DDH were implicated. The suspicion is raised based on a physical examination soon after birth. Radiography and ultrasonography are used to confirm the diagnosis. The role of other imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging, is still undetermined; however, extensive research is underway on this subject. Treatment depends on the age of the patient and the reducibility of the hip joint. At an early age and up to 6 mo, the main treatment is an abduction brace like the Pavlik harness. If this fails, closed reduction and spica casting is usually done. After the age of 18 mo, treatment usually consists of open reduction and hip reconstruction surgery. Various treatment protocols have been proposed. We summarize the current practice for detection and treatment of DDH, emphasizing updates in screening and treatment during the last two decades.

Evaluation and treatment of developmental hip dysplasia in the newborn and infant

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) encompasses a spectrum of physical and imaging findings. The child's hip will not develop normally if it remains unstable and anatomically abnormal by walking age. Therefore, careful physical examination of all infants to diagnosis and treat significant DDH is critical to provide the best possible functional outcome. Regardless of the practice setting, all health professionals who care for newborns and infants should be trained to evaluate the infant hip for instability and to provide appropriate and early conservative treatment or referral.