Following the neonatal examination the 6–8 week ‘GP check’ forms the second part of selective surveillance for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in the UK. We aim to investigate the effectiveness of this 6–8 week examination for DDH.

This is a observational study including all infants born in our region over 5 years. Early presentation was defined as diagnosis within 14 weeks of birth and late presentation after 14 weeks. Treatment record for early and late DDH as well as referrals for ultrasound (US) following the 6–8 week check were analysed. The attendance at the 6–8 week examination in those patients who went on to present with a late DDH was also analysed.

23112 live births, there were 141 confirmed cases of DDH. 400 referrals for ultrasound were received from GP; 6 of these had a positive finding of DDH. 27 patients presented after 14 weeks and were classified as late presentations. 25 of these patients had attended the 6–8 week examination and no abnormality had been identified. The sensitivity of the examination was 19.4%, its specificity was 98% and it had a positive predictive value of 1.5%

For many years the 6–8 week ‘check’ has been thought of as a safety net for those children with DDH not identified as neonates, however we found that 4 out of every 5 children with DDH were not identified. It is essential efforts are made to impove detection as the long term consequences of late presentation can be life changing.

Background; We investigated, as a neoadjuvant to surgical therapy, the effect of a gene therapy of the primary tumour on the progression of minimal residual disease to overt liver metastases. The gene construct coding for the immunostimulatory molecules GM-CSF and B7-1 was delivered to the growing tumour by electroporation in Balb/C mice.

Methods; JBS fibrosarcomas were induced subcutaneously and were randomised at 80mm3 to control and treatment groups. One day prior to treatment, the portal circulation was seeded with tumour cells. Gene delivery was assessed by in vivo imaging, cytokine measurement and anti–tumour cytotoxicity (in vitro and in vivo). Responses were determined by liver examination.

Results; Gene expression and cytokine production was evident in treated tumours. Development of liver metastases was inhibited by neoadjuvant therapy in all 8 animals, in comparison to none of the control animals (n = 6) (average liver weight=0.99 g vs. 1.748 g. p< 0.03.) Metastases were confirmed histologically. Cytotoxicity studies and rechallenge confirmed development of specific T cell antitumour responses after gene therapy.

Conclusions; Immunogene therapy of the primary tumour induces effective anti–tumoural responses and inhibits the development of liver metastases. This strategy could be developed for neoadjuvant therapy of some human cancers.