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.

Since September 1964, neonates born in New Plymouth have undergone clinical examination for instability of the hip in a structured clinical screening programme. Of the 41 563 babies born during this period, 1639 were diagnosed as having unstable hips and 663 (1.6%) with persisting instability were splinted, five of which failed. Also, three unsplinted hips progressed to congenital dislocation, and there were four late-presenting (walking) cases, giving an overall failure rate of 0.29 per 1000 live births, with an incidence of late-walking congenital dislocation of the hip of 0.1 per 1000 live births.

This study confirms that clinical screening for neonatal instability of the hip by experienced orthopaedic examiners significantly reduces the incidence of late-presenting (walking) congenital dislocation of the hip.