Abstract
Introduction: Despite early screening, infants continue to present late ( > 4 months) with DDH. The impact of late diagnosis is significant. Established DDH causes significant morbidity and may have major medicolegal implications.
Aim: To review the incidence of late presenting DDH nationally for a single year and assess the patterns of referral. To identify the reasons for the late presentation of DDH in the presence of early clinical screening.
Methods: In a retrospective study all cases of late DDH presenting in 2004 were identified using inpatient database. Patient records were retrieved and data collected.
Results: Fifty nine cases of DDH were diagnosed at greater than 4 months. There was an additional 26 cases of isolated acetabular dysplasia treated at greater than four months.
The mean age of diagnosis was 14.6 months (range 4–72). Many of the late referrals had risk factors for DDH.
Conclusion: Despite routine clinical screening at birth and six weeks, children continue to present with late DDH. This represents a significant workload for our tertiary unit.
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