Ultrasound screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in primary paediatric health care

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is the most frequent congenital malformation of the locomotor system. Modern systems of child health protection in primary health care are directed towards the early detection of illness or disorder and early treatment in developing children. The main goal is healthy child - healthy adult. This research was conducted at the infants advisory clinic of the Solin out-patients clinic. Clinical and ultrasonographic examinations for developmental dysplasia of the hip were performed on 454 infants with 908 hips. Grafs method was used. All hips were classified in one of 10 types. This research found 91.4% normal hips. Type II A+ was found in 4.3%, type II A- in 1.5%, type II C in 1.5%, type III A in 0.2% and type III B in 0.1% of all the examined hips. According to this classification developmental dysplasia of the hip was found in 8.6% infants. Infants with pathological results were treated according to the orthopedists recommendations. Grafs method proved suitable for pediatricians in everyday practice allowing ultrasound diagnosis of all kinds of hip developmental disorder. The best effect is when screening is performed up to 4 weeks of age. Early diagnosis and treatment of this inherited malformation is very important, because the prognosis is better where treatment starts earlier.