Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible correlation between DDH and lumbosacral spina bifida occulta (LSSBO).

Patients and Methods: This multicentric study included the assessment of anteroposterior pelvic radiographs of 415 adolescents and adults without any bilateral clinical and radiological hip joint abnormality and of latest radiographs of 291 adolescent and adult patients who had treated or untreated DDH which had occured unilaterally or bilaterally. Control group included 332 females and 83 males and mean age was 38±17 (12-70) years. DDH group included 246 females and 45 males and mean age was 30±17 (12-80) years.

Results: Female/male ratio of both groups was statistically similar (p=0.124). Rate of LSSBO was 12% and 23% in the control and DDH groups, respectively (p< 0.001). S1 and L5 vertebrae were the two most common involved sites in both groups. There wasn’t any significant correlation between the rate of LSSBO and the involved hip side in the DDH group (p=0.336). In females, rate of LSSBO was 9% and 23% in the control and DDH groups, respectively (p< 0.001). In males, rate of LSSBO was 22% and 24% in the control and DDH groups, respectively (p=0.893).

Conclusion: In females, DDH is significantly accompanied by LSSBO and LSSBO may be considered as a risk factor for DDH. Further intrauterine studies are needed for better understanding of this fact. It may be better to perfom ultrasonographic hip screening for the newborns who has an evident posterior vertebral arch defect without any intraspinal anomaly which has been seen during fetal ultrasonography.