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Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2006;91:F158-F162 doi:10.1136/adc.2004.070870
  • Original article

Differences in risk factors between early and late diagnosed developmental dysplasia of the hip

  1. P Sharpe1,
  2. K Mulpuri2,
  3. A Chan3,
  4. P J Cundy2
  1. 1South Australian Birth Defects Register, Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
  2. 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide
  3. 3Pregnancy Outcome Statistics Unit, Epidemiology Branch, Department of Health, Adelaide
  1. Correspondence to:
    MsSharpe
    South Australian Birth Defects Register, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, South Australia; cywhs.sabdr{at}cywhs.sa.gov.au
  • Accepted 26 October 2005
  • Published Online First 6 December 2005

Abstract

Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is common, affecting 7.3 per 1000 births in South Australia. Clinical screening programmes exist to identify the condition early to gain the maximum benefit from early treatment. Although these screening programmes are effective, there are still cases that are missed. Previous research has highlighted key risk factors in the development of DDH.

Objective: To compare the risk factors of cases of DDH identified late with those that were diagnosed early.

Methods: A total of 1281 children with DDH born in 1988–1996 were identified from the South Australian Birth Defects Register. Hospital records of those who had surgery for DDH within 5 years of life were examined for diagnosis details. Twenty seven (2.1%) had been diagnosed at or after 3 months of age and were considered the late DDH cases (a prevalence of 0.15 per 1000 live births). Various factors were compared with early diagnosed DDH cases.

Results: Female sex, vertex presentation, normal delivery, rural birth, and discharge from hospital less than 4 days after birth all significantly increased the risk of late diagnosis of DDH.

Conclusions: The results show differences in the risk factors for early and late diagnosed DDH. Some known risk factors for DDH are in fact protective for late diagnosis. These results highlight the need for broad newborn population screening and continued vigilance and training in screening programmes.

Footnotes

  • Published Online First 6 December 2005

  • Competing interests: none declared

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