Abstract
Aims: Prospective study to evaluate the radiological outcome of developmental dysplasia of the hips at 1 year, which were ultrasonographically abnormal at birth. Methods: Routine ultrasound screening for neonatal hip instability has been carried out in Coventry since June 1989. Of the 8007 babies born in Coventry during 1997,1998 and early 1999, 534(6.6%) babies were found to have early ultrasonographic abnormality. Inclusion criteria for our study were an early abnormal ultrasound examination in babies with no other risk factors. Pavlik harness treatment was started for babies with persistent abnormality. Results: 212 babies were available for follow up at 1year with X-ray for measurement. Study criteria matched 230 new born hips in 115 babies with average radiographic follow-up of 52 weeks (range 48Ð60weeks). Acetabular angle and the femoral head epiphysis were measured from the pelvic X-ray. The results were statistically analyzed and the F-value was calculated. Ultrasonic abnormality was common in female babies (83%: 17%) compared to male babies. The results in the severely abnormal group following treatment with Pavlik Harness were found to be the same as the mildly abnormal group. Conclusions: We hereby conclude that treatment of the severely abnormal group with Pavlik Harness has resulted in no statistically signiþcant radiological abnormality in the acetabular angle and the growth of the femoral head epiphysis at 1-year follow up.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
