Abstract
Since September 1964, neonates born in New Plymouth have undergone clinical examination for Neonatal Instability of the Hip (NIH) in a structured clinical screening programme. Forty one thousand, five hundred and sixty three babies were born during the period of this study, of which 1,638 were diagnosed as having unstable hips. Six hundred and thirty three with persisting instability were splinted (1.6%), with five hips failing splintage. In addition, three unsplinted hips progressed to CDH, and there were four late-presenting (walking) cases of CDH, giving an overall failure rate for the programme of 0.29 per 1000 live births, with a late-presenting (walking) CDH incidence of 0.1 per 1000 live births. This study confirms that clinical screening for NIH by experienced orthopaedic examiners significantly lowers the incidence of late-presenting (walking) CDH.
Correspondence should be addressed to Associate Professor N. Susan Stott, Orthopaedic Department, Starship Children’s Hospital, Private Bag 92024, Auckland, New Zealand.
