Diagnostic Performance of Clinical Examination Versus Ultrasonography in the Detection of Developmental Dysplasia of Hip: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Universal ultrasound screening and early treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip: a critical review

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common musculoskeletal disease in infants, and delayed diagnosis can worsen the prognosis. Clinical evidence increasingly supports universal ultrasound (US) screening over selective US screening. The Graf method remains the most widely accepted US technique. Performing an US screening at one month of age seems appropriate as it allows for some hip maturity and early detection, thereby increasing the chances of a favorable outcome. This paper presents an approach to US findings based on the femoral head coverage method. Considering the long-term cost and psychosocial impact of missed DDH cases, universal ultrasound screening appears to be a cost-effective alternative.

Universal Ultrasound Screening for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Among Infants in Community Settings in Japan: A Scoping Review

Introduction

Early identification of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is necessary to minimize its negative effects. Ultrasound screening is useful for detecting DDH in hospitals. Awareness about community-based screening systems is low in Japan. Despite established nationwide home visiting services and child health checkups in the country, more than 10% of DDH patients are diagnosed at the age of ≥1 year. This review aimed to clarify the status of universal ultrasound screening for DDH among infants in community settings in Japan.

Methods

The electronic databases of Igaku Chuo Zasshi, MEDLINE, CHINAL, ERIC, and APA PsycInfo were searched for articles published between 2002 and 2022. Articles were evaluated with the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance framework.

Results

In total, 148 articles were identified. Two articles were manually added, and 67 articles were excluded through abstract reviews, of which 20 were duplicates. Finally, 18 articles were included in the analysis. There are two types of universal ultrasound screening in community settings: municipality-led and hospital-led. Since 1992, municipality-led screening has been conducted during public infant health checkups in five municipalities. Six hospitals implemented ultrasound screening. The participation rate was around 90%. The Graf method is typically used for this purpose. The prevalence of abnormal hips was 3.6%-16.6%. Owing to limited human resources and skills in ultrasound, all studies mentioned the necessity of a universal screening system for the early detection of DDH.

Conclusion

Embedding universal ultrasound screening in community health checkup systems enables collaboration between healthcare professionals and caregivers to improve health inequities and ensure early detection of DDH cases.

Comparison Static and Dynamic Ultrasound Techniques of DDH: The Role of the Patient's Position

Objectives

The ultrasound examination of the hip joint is performed in the static (Graf) technique in the lateral recumbent position and in the dynamic technique in the supine position. This study compares the two static and dynamic techniques and assesses the role of the patient's position in the examination of DDH.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020-2021 at Akbar Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 126 patients suspected of having DDH (199 hip) infants were enrolled in the study. All ultrasound examinations were performed with two static and dynamic techniques by a pediatric radiologist.

Results

In the static and dynamic ultrasound examinations, the average alpha angle was 51.57 ± 6.41 degrees, and 53.41 ± 6.94 degrees, respectively. These changes were not statistically significant (P = 0.312). The relationship and agreement between instability with dynamic technique and instability with static technique (IIC unstable, D, III, and IV) were investigated. Significant agreement (Kappa=0.77 (95% CI: 0.66-0.87) with excellent clinical significance was obtained between the two ultrasound examination method. Also, in terms of DDH types in the static method with instability types in the dynamic method, a substantial agreement was found between the two examination methods (Kappa =0.67; (95% CI: 0.59-0.75) with good clinical significance.

Conclusion

In the ultrasound examination of DDH with static and dynamic techniques, the change in the alpha angle was not statistically significant. Therefore, the hand of the radiologist is open in measuring alpha angles and there is no need to emphasize a specific position. The type of DDH in the static technique completely corresponded to the type of stability or instability in the dynamic technique.

Preterm birth does not increase the risk of developmental dysplasia of the Hip: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this systematic review was to appraise the literature on the association between preterm birth and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

METHODS

Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were queried for all studies pertaining to DDH and preterm birth. Data were imported and analyzed in Revman5 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) for pooled prevalence estimation.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies were included in the final analysis. There were 759 newborns diagnosed with DDH in these studies. DDH was diagnosed in 2.0% [95%CI:1.1-3.5%] of the premature newborns. Pooled incidence rate of DDH was not statistically different between those groups (2.5%[0.9%-6.8%] vs. 0.7%[0.2%-2.5%] vs. 1.7%[0.6%-5.3%];Q = 2.363,p = 0.307).

CONCLUSIONS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we did not find preterm birth to be a significant risk factor for DDH. Data suggests that female sex and breech presentation are associated with DDH in preterm infants, but the data is scarce in the literature.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants younger than six months: Ultrasonographic assessment in relation with risk factors

Objectives

In newborns, developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is an abnormal development of the hip joint but its accurate detection is challenging. This study was designed to determine an accurate detection of DDH and their associated risk factors in infants younger than 6 months using sonographic and clinical examinations.

Methods

Infants younger than 6 months (n = 404) with their hip instability were recruited. Infants' hips were examined by ultrasonographic and clinical examinations. Ultrasonographic data were accessed in relation with the risk factors. Omni calculator was used to measure sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.

Results

Out of 808 hips, 97.3% hips were categorized as Graf I type, 1.4% hips were Graf type IIa, 0.87% were type IIb, and 0.49% were type IIc. The data revealed that 93.9% hips were congruous and 6.1% hips were immature. Importantly, the data showed that risk factors such as mode of delivery, breech presentation, oligohydramnios, family history, and malformations were proportionally associated with positive DDH cases. Interestingly, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasonography in relation with clinical positivity of DDH infants were 51.83%, 99.43%, and 73.16%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study proved that ultrasonographic assessments are highly sensitive, specific and accurate for the detection of DDH onset in infants younger than 6 months. In addition, the study investigated a number of risk factors associated with the onset of DDH; therefore, it is extremely important that ultrasonography and clinical examination should be performed by those sonographers and orthopedic surgeons, who will have the knowledge of associated risk factors.