Fantoms
- Martin Ward Platt, Deputy Editor
HIPS
In our efforts to prevent children limping from developmental dysplasia of the hip, we stumble towards some better understanding of ways in which we can screen for this condition without creating unacceptable early over-treatment, yet demonstrably reducing late detection and operative treatment. This month we have two papers that move the debate forward: Roovers et al report the outcome of an innovative strategy using universal routine ultrasound, but after the neonatal period; the results are mixed and this is certainly not the definitive last word on the subject. In a complementary paper, Gardner et al demonstrate that determining the need for splinting by early ultrasound does not result in excess maternal anxiety, in contrast to routine early splinting. This adds to the strength of …
