The earliest timing of ultrasound in screening for developmental dysplasia of the hips

Risk factors for a false negative Ortolani and Barlow examination in developmental dysplasia of the hip

INTRODUCTION

Although universal screening by neonatal clinical examination with Ortolani and Barlow manoeuvres is widely adopted, its role as a sole screening tool is controversial due to its poor sensitivity and failure in identifying hip joints that eventually require surgical intervention.

HYPOTHESIS

This study aims to identify risk factors for a false negative Ortolani and Barlow examination in neonatal screening for DDH. The hypothesis is that risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hips could similarly be risk factors for a false negative Ortolani and Barlow examination.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the 14-year retrospective cohort study, all newborn infants born in a single institution from 1st January 1999 to 31st December 2013 were screened clinically with the Ortolani/Barlow manoeuvre by a neonatologist. Infants with positive risk factors, despite a normal clinical examination, were then scheduled for bilateral hip ultrasound in the first three months of life and evaluated according to the Graf's method, Harcke's method of dynamic ultrasound screening and Terjesen's method of evaluation for femoral head coverage.

RESULTS

A total of 164 infants with normal Ortolani and Barlow examinations were scheduled for bilateral hip ultrasound due to the presence of risk factors. Amongst these, 32 (19.5%) infants were evaluated to have an abnormal hip on ultrasound. Breech position was the only statistically significant risk factor for a false negative Ortolani/Barlow examination (14/34, 41.2% vs. 18/112, 13.8%; p<0.001).

DISCUSSION

Sonographic hip examinations are recommended for all infants with breech presentation even if they have a normal Ortolani and Barlow examination.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III; case-control study.

The incidence of late-detected developmental dysplasia of the hip and its functional outcomes: a 17-year cohort study using selective ultrasound screening

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We aimed to establish the incidence of late-detected developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) with a selective ultrasound (US) examination over 17 years using the femoral head coverage (FHC) as a US measurement. The secondary aim was to establish the everyday function using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The incidence of late-detected DDH was based on 60,844 children. Patients diagnosed for the first time after 3 months and before the age of 8 years were included. In the second part of the study, consent to participate was mandatory. PROMIS-25 Pediatric, PROMIS-25 Parent, and EQ-5D-5L were used according to the patient's age to assess everyday function.

RESULTS

The incidence of late-detected DDH was 0.48/1,000. The median age at diagnosis was 8 months (range 4-41 months), with a tendency to require repeated treatment with open surgery if DDH was diagnosed later. Most children reported no or minor health problems with a mean of 18 years' follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We found that selective US examination of the hips by measuring the FHC is a reliable method to examine newborns for DDH resulting in a low incidence of late-detected DDH amounting to 0.48/1,000 newborn children.

Analysis of the results of hip ultrasonography in 48 666 infants and efficacy studies of conservative treatment

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the detection rate of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) by ultrasound. To obtain the distribution characteristics of the different types (I-IV) and the role of ultrasound in the evaluation of infants with DDH (type IIc and above) receiving conservative treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed. The chi-square test was used for comparisons between count-data groups. Two-sided tests were used for all analyses. The results of ultrasound follow-up after conservative treatment are described.

RESULTS

Among the 48 666 infants examined, the detection rates were as follows: type I, 95.42%; IIa, 3.18%; IIb, 0.91%; IIc, 0.22%; D, 0.01%; III, 0.14%; and IV, 0.12%. There were 4456 hips with IIa and above, more left (54.65%) than right (45.35%) hips, and more females (82.60%) than males (17.40%). The detection rate of type IIa and above was 4.58%, and that of type IIb and above was 1.40%. After the treatment, the α value increased, and β value decreased. The cure rate of the less-than-42-days group was higher than that of the other groups.

CONCLUSION

The ultrasound detection rate of DDH is high. DDH was more likely to occur on the left side and in females. It is recommended that the infants should be treated within 42 days.

Universal screening may reduce the incidence of late diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip : a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

We investigated the prevalence of late developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), abduction bracing treatment, and surgical procedures performed following the implementation of universal ultrasound screening versus selective ultrasound screening programmes.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, OrthoSearch, and Web of Science from the date of inception of each database until 27 March 2022 was performed. The primary outcome of interest was the prevalence of late detection of DDH, diagnosed after three months. Secondary outcomes of interest were the prevalence of abduction bracing treatment and surgical procedures performed in childhood for dysplasia. Only studies describing the primary outcome of interest were included.

RESULTS

A total of 31 studies were identified, of which 13 described universal screening and 20 described selective screening. Two studies described both. The prevalence of late DDH was 0.10 per 1,000 live births (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00 to 0.39) in the universal screening group and 0.45 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 0.31 to 0.61) in the selective screening group. Abduction bracing treatment was performed on 55.54 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 24.46 to 98.15) in the universal screening group versus 0.48 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 0.07 to 1.13) in the selective screening group. Both the universal and selective screening groups had a similar prevalence of surgical procedures in childhood for dysplasia being performed (0.48 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.63) vs 0.49 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.71) per 1,000 live births, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Universal screening showed a trend towards lower prevalence of late DDH compared to selective screening. However, it was also associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of abduction bracing without a significant reduction in the prevalence of surgical procedures in childhood for dysplasia being performed. High-quality studies comparing both treatment methods are required, in addition to studies into the natural history of missed DDH.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):198-208.

The management of developmental dysplasia of the hip in children aged under three months : a consensus study from the British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery

AIMS

A national screening programme has existed in the UK for the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) since 1969. However, every aspect of screening and treatment remains controversial. Screening programmes throughout the world vary enormously, and in the UK there is significant variation in screening practice and treatment pathways. We report the results of an attempt by the British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS) to identify a nationwide consensus for the management of DDH in order to unify treatment and suggest an approach for screening.

METHODS

A Delphi consensus study was performed among the membership of BSCOS. Statements were generated by a steering group regarding aspects of the management of DDH in children aged under three months, namely screening and surveillance (15 questions), the technique of ultrasound scanning (eight questions), the initiation of treatment (19 questions), care during treatment with a splint (ten questions), and on quality, governance, and research (eight questions). A two-round Delphi process was used and a consensus document was produced at the final meeting of the steering group.

RESULTS

A total of 60 statements were graded by 128 clinicians in the first round and 132 in the second round. Consensus was reached on 30 out of 60 statements in the first round and an additional 12 in the seond. This was summarized in a consensus statement and distilled into a flowchart to guide clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

We identified agreement in an area of medicine that has a long history of controversy and varied practice. None of the areas of consensus are based on high-quality evidence. This document is thus a framework to guide clinical practice and on which high-quality clinical trials can be developed.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):209-214.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on ultrasound screening of developmental dysplasia of the hip and follow-up imaging: a report from southeastern Turkey

Objective

To investigate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions on ultrasound (US) screening of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in a children’s hospital.

Methods

The records of US screening of DDH were retrospectively evaluated in the pandemic period (April 2020 to July 2021) and the pre-pandemic period (January 2019 to February 2020). The monthly US number, sex, radiologist number, and age at the initial examination were recorded.

Results

A total of 6107 US scans were performed during the pre-pandemic period, which significantly decreased to 3340 during the pandemic. The number of monthly US scans performed did not change between the pre-pandemic (142.7/month) and pandemic (128.2/month) periods. The number of delayed examinations in the total population did not significantly change between the two periods. However, the number of delayed examinations in patients with abnormal hips was significantly increased during the pandemic compared with that in the pre-pandemic period.

Conclusions

Coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions decreased the US screening rate of DDH by almost half, but the number of US scans performed by each radiologist was unchanged. The compliance with follow-up recommendations was reduced by half, which may lead to an increase in the incidence of delayed and untreated DDH cases.

Children treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip at birth and with normal acetabular index at 1 year: How many had residual dysplasia at 5 years?

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of further follow-up for children treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip, with normal clinical and radiological findings at 1-year time point. The effect was quantified by the number of hips with a pathologic deterioration up to 5 years.

METHODS

Among 47,289 children born in Sør-Trøndelag county in Norway between 2003 and 2015, 265 children had developmental dysplasia of the hip. Of these, 164 children (239 hips) treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip with normal clinical findings and normal acetabular index at the 1-year time point were included in the study. The number of hips with pathologic acetabular index at the 5-year time point were reported. The diagnostic uncertainty related to radiological measurements was quantified together with the effect of introducing a second radiographic measurement, the center edge angle.

RESULTS

A total of 239 treated hips were normal at the 1-year time point. At 5-year time point, 10 (4.2%) hips had a pathologic acetabular index measurement and none classified to have developmental dysplasia of the hip caused by measurement inaccuracy. Eight (3.3%) hips had pathologic center edge angle measurement. Four hips had both pathologic acetabular index and center edge angle measurements, with three later treated with surgery. The intra- and interobserver repeatability coefficients were within 3.1°-6.6°.

CONCLUSION

The repeatability coefficient of the acetabular index measurements was high and no hips could be classified to have developmental dysplasia of the hip at the 5-year time point when taking this repeatability into account. Hips classified as pathologic combining acetabular index and center edge angle measurements were likely to be treated with surgery for residual dysplasia. We recommend further follow-up for these children.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

level II.

The Association of Asymmetric Skinfolds and the Diagnosis of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Infants

BACKGROUND

The clinical finding of asymmetric skinfolds (ASF) in infants is used to indicate the possibility of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The association of ASF and a diagnosis of DDH remains unknown.

PURPOSE

To determine the association of ASF in the gluteal and femoral regions with a diagnosis of DDH.

METHODS

The correlation of ASF and other physical examination findings with DDH was compared retrospectively. The medical records of infants who underwent DDH screening in the clinic were analyzed. The physical examination findings were reviewed and categorized as ASF, clunk of the hip, limb-length discrepancy, hip abduction limitation, combined conditions of musculoskeletal disorders, and regular screening for DDH. The hip conditions were classified by Graf's ultrasound method. Type IIb and higher classifications were defined as DDH. The diagnosed rate and severity of DDH based on physical examination findings were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

Clinical data of 3266 infants aged up to 6 months were reviewed, and 194 infants were diagnosed with DDH by ultrasound examination. ASF was the most common indication for DDH screening (64.5%; 2107/3266). However, this was poorly correlated with a diagnosis of DDH (4.79%; P < .0001). No difference was found between the Graf classification severity and various indications (P = .079).

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Clinicians should recognize that, although ASF is the most common reason for DDH screening in infants, ASF does not correlate with a diagnosis of DDH.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Additional research should examine the relationship between DDH and ASF in other populations.

Team Approach: Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) encompasses a wide spectrum of hip disorders, including neonatal instability, acetabular dysplasia, hip subluxation, and frank dislocation of the hip. It is a common disorder, with a reported incidence of between 0.1% and >10% of live births. Coordinated, interdisciplinary care is important to achieving successful outcomes. This starts with accurate assessment of risk factors in the prenatal period, thorough clinical examination by the primary care provider at all well-child visits, and early referral to a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is critical for an excellent outcome. Ongoing, open communication between clinicians is essential for the effective coordination of care. Treatment options vary depending on the age of presentation. A Pavlik harness (dynamic hip abduction orthosis) is used for children up to 6 months of age. A more rigid abduction orthosis may be used if treatment with a Pavlik harness is unsuccessful, with a closed reduction and spica cast being the next step if needed for children up to 18 months of age. Finally, open reduction with possible concomitant femoral and/or pelvic osteotomies is the surgical option in an older child, when necessary. In general, the later the child is diagnosed with and treated for DDH, the greater the risk of a nonoptimal outcome. Depending on the severity of the condition, children with DDH may need to be followed closely until skeletal maturity so as not to miss the diagnosis of asymptomatic residual hip dysplasia, which can predispose patients to early hip arthritis.