Aims. We investigated the prevalence of late developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), abduction bracing treatment, and surgical procedures performed following the implementation of universal ultrasound screening versus selective ultrasound screening programmes. Methods. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, OrthoSearch, and Web of Science from the date of inception of each database until 27 March 2022 was performed. The primary outcome of interest was the prevalence of late detection of DDH, diagnosed after three months. Secondary outcomes of interest were the prevalence of abduction bracing treatment and surgical procedures performed in childhood for dysplasia. Only studies describing the primary outcome of interest were included. Results. A total of 31 studies were identified, of which 13 described universal screening and 20 described selective screening. Two studies described both. The prevalence of late DDH was 0.10 per 1,000 live births (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00 to 0.39) in the universal screening group and 0.45 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 0.31 to 0.61) in the selective screening group. Abduction bracing treatment was performed on 55.54 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 24.46 to 98.15) in the universal screening group versus 0.48 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 0.07 to 1.13) in the selective screening group. Both the universal and selective screening groups had a similar prevalence of surgical procedures in childhood for dysplasia being performed (0.48 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.63) vs 0.49 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.71) per 1,000 live births, respectively). Conclusion. Universal screening showed a trend towards lower prevalence of late DDH compared to selective screening. However, it was also associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of abduction bracing without a significant reduction in the prevalence of surgical procedures in childhood for dysplasia being performed. High-quality studies comparing both treatment methods are required, in addition to studies into the natural history of missed DDH. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):198–208

Aims. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the neonatal hip instability screening programme. Patients and Methods. The study involved a four-year observational assessment of a neonatal hip screening programme. All newborns were examined using the Barlow or Ortolani manoeuvre within 72 hours of birth; those with positive findings were referred to a ‘one-stop’ screening clinic for clinical and sonographic assessment of the hip. The results were compared with previous published studies from this unit. Results. A total of 124 newborns with a positive Barlow or Ortolani manoeuvre, clunk positive, or ‘unstable’ were referred. Five were found to have clinical instability of the hip. Sonographically, 92 newborns had Graf Type I hips, 12 had Graf Type II hips, and 20 had Graf Type IV hips. The positive predictive value (PPV) of clinical screening was 4.0% and the PPV of sonography was 16.1%. This has led to an increased rate of surgery for DDH. Conclusion. Compared with previously published ten-year and 15-year studies, there has been a marked deterioration in the PPV in those referred with potential instability of the hip. There appears to be a paradox, with rising referrals and a decreasing PPV combined with an increasing rate of surgery in newborns with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:806–10

Aims. The aim of this study was to review the value of accepting referrals for children with ‘clicky hips’ in a selective screening programme for hip dysplasia. Patients and Methods. A single-centre prospective database of all referrals to the hip clinic was examined to identify indication for referrals, diagnosis, and treatment. All patients referred received a standardized ultrasound scan and clinical examination by an orthopaedic consultant. Results. There were 5716 children referred to the orthopaedic hip clinic between 1 June 2014 and 26 September 2018. In all, 1754 children (30.1%) were referred due to ‘clicky hip’ with no additional risk factors or indications for ultrasound scan. A total of 123 children (7.1%) referred with ‘clicky hip’ and no additional risk factors or examination findings had an abnormal initial hip ultrasound, including 16 children (0.9%) with dysplastic hips. Of the 141 children who required treatment in a Pavlik harness during the study period, 23 (16%) had been referred with a ‘clicky hip’ and no additional risk factors or examination findings, including six children with Graf 3 or 4 hips. Conclusion. There is significant value in reviewing children with an isolated ‘clicky hip’. Many children who require treatment are referred to the orthopaedic service as ‘clicky hip’ with no additional risk factors. In a pragmatic pathway with a diverse population of clinicians performing baby checks, ‘clicky hip’ is an important indication for referral and should not be discarded. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:635–638

Most centres in the United Kingdom adopt a selective screening programme for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) based on repeated clinical examination and selective ultrasound examination. The Newborn Infant Physical Examination protocol implemented in 2008 recommends a first examination at birth and then a second and final examination at six to ten weeks of age. Due to concerns over an increase in late presentations we performed a retrospective review of our 15-year results to establish if late presentation increases treatment requirements. Of children presenting before six weeks of age, 84% were treated successfully with abduction bracing, whereas 86% of children presenting after ten months eventually required open reduction surgery. This equates to a 12-fold increase in relative risk of requiring open reduction following late presentation. Increasing age at presentation was associated with an increase in the number of surgical procedures, which are inevitably more extensive and complex, with a consequent increased in cost per patient. The implementation of an opportunistic examination at three to five months could help to reduce the unintended consequences of the Newborn Infant Physical Examination programme.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:846–50.

Aims. A national screening programme has existed in the UK for the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) since 1969. However, every aspect of screening and treatment remains controversial. Screening programmes throughout the world vary enormously, and in the UK there is significant variation in screening practice and treatment pathways. We report the results of an attempt by the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS) to identify a nationwide consensus for the management of DDH in order to unify treatment and suggest an approach for screening. Methods. A Delphi consensus study was performed among the membership of BSCOS. Statements were generated by a steering group regarding aspects of the management of DDH in children aged under three months, namely screening and surveillance (15 questions), the technique of ultrasound scanning (eight questions), the initiation of treatment (19 questions), care during treatment with a splint (ten questions), and on quality, governance, and research (eight questions). A two-round Delphi process was used and a consensus document was produced at the final meeting of the steering group. Results. A total of 60 statements were graded by 128 clinicians in the first round and 132 in the second round. Consensus was reached on 30 out of 60 statements in the first round and an additional 12 in the seond. This was summarized in a consensus statement and distilled into a flowchart to guide clinical practice. Conclusion. We identified agreement in an area of medicine that has a long history of controversy and varied practice. None of the areas of consensus are based on high-quality evidence. This document is thus a framework to guide clinical practice and on which high-quality clinical trials can be developed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):209–214

Aims. To monitor the performance of services for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in Northern Ireland and identify potential improvements to enhance quality of service and plan for the future. Methods. This was a prospective observational study, involving all infants treated for DDH between 2011 and 2017. Children underwent clinical assessment and radiological investigation as per the regional surveillance policy. The regional radiology data was interrogated to quantify the use of ultrasound and ionizing radiation for this population. Results. Evidence-based changes were made to the Northern Ireland screening programme, including an increase in ultrasound scanning capacity and expansion of nurse-led screening clinics. The number of infant hip ultrasound scans increased from 4,788 in 2011, to approximately 7,000 in 2013 and subsequent years. The number of hip radiographs on infants of less than one year of age fell from 7,381 to 2,208 per year. There was a modest increase in the treatment rate from 10.9 to 14.3 per 1,000 live births but there was a significant reduction in the number of closed hip reductions. The incidence of infants diagnosed with DDH after one year of age was 0.30 per 1,000 live births over the entire period. Conclusion. Improving compliance with the regional infant hip screening protocols led to reduction in operative procedures and reduced the number of pelvic radiographs of infants. We conclude that performance monitoring of screening programmes for DDH is essential to provide a quality service. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(4):495–500

Over a 15-year prospective period, 201 infants with a clinically unstable hip at neonatal screening were subsequently reviewed in a ‘one stop’ clinic where they were assessed clinically and sonographically. Their mean age was 1.62 weeks (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35 to 1.89). Clinical neonatal hip screening revealed a sensitivity of 62% (mean, 62.6 95%CI 50.9 to 74.3), specificity of 99.8% (mean, 99.8, 95% CI 99.7 to 99.8) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 24% (mean, 26.2, 95% CI 19.3 to 33.0). Static and dynamic sonography for Graf type IV dysplastic hips had a 15-year sensitivity of 77% (mean, 75.8 95% CI 66.9 to 84.6), specificity of 99.8% (mean, 99.8, 95% CI 99.8 to 99.8) and a PPV of 49% (mean, 55.1, 95% CI 41.6 to 68.5). There were 36 infants with an irreducible dislocation of the hip (0.57 per 1000 live births), including six that failed to resolve with neonatal splintage. Most clinically unstable hips referred to a specialist clinic are female and stabilise spontaneously. Most irreducible dislocations are not identified from this neonatal instability group. There may be a small subgroup of females with instability of the hip which may be at risk of progression to irreducibility despite early treatment in a Pavlik harness. A controlled study is required to assess the value of neonatal clinical screening programmes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:265-9

Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV) is one of the most common congenital limb deformities. We reviewed the records of infants who had received treatment for structural CTEV between 1 January 2007 and 30 November 2012. This was cross-referenced with the prenatal scans of mothers over a corresponding period of time. We investigated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the fetal anomaly scan for the detection of CTEV and explored whether the publication of Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme guidelines in 2010 affected the rate of detection. During the study period there were 95 532 prenatal scans and 34 373 live births at our hospital. A total of 37 fetuses with findings suggestive of CTEV were included in the study, of whom 30 were found to have structural CTEV at birth. The sensitivity of screening for CTEV was 71.4% and the positive predictive value was 81.1%. The negative predictive value and specificity were more than 99.5%. There was no significant difference between the rates of detection before and after publication of the guidelines (p = 0.5). We conclude that a prenatal fetal anomaly ultrasound screening diagnosis of CTEV has a good positive predictive value enabling prenatal counselling. The change in screening guidance has not affected the proportion of missed cases. This information will aid counselling parents about the effectiveness and accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosing CTEV. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:984–8

Aims. Despite the presence of screening programmes, infants continue to present with late developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), the impact of which is significant. The aim of this study was to assess infants with late presenting dislocation of the hip despite universal clinical neonatal and selective ultrasound screening. Patients and Methods. Between 01 January 1997 to 31 December 2011, a prospective, longitudinal study was undertaken of a cohort of 64 670 live births. Late presenting dislocation was defined as presentation after three months of age. Diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound and plain radiography. Patient demographics, referral type, reason for referral, risk factors (breech presentation/strong family history) and clinical and radiological findings were recorded. Results. There were 31 infants with an irreducible dislocation of the hip, an incidence of 0.48 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34 to 0.68) per 1000 live births. Of these, 18 (0.28 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.44) per 1000 live births; 58%) presented late. All infants had a documented normal newborn clinical examination and no abnormality reported in the six to eight week check. Of the 18 late presenting cases 72% (n = 13) had no risk factors: 16 were referred by GPs and two were late due to administrative issues (missed appointments). The mean time to diagnosis was 62.4 weeks (19 to 84). Conclusion. Despite universal clinical neonatal and selective ultrasound screening, late cases of irreducible hip dislocation still occur. We recommend an update of the national screening programme for DDH, a review of training and education of healthcare professionals involved in the physical examination of neonates and infants, and the addition of a further assessment after the six to eight week check. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1250–5

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether universal (all neonates) or selective (neonates belonging to the risk groups) ultrasound screening of the hips should be recommended at birth. We carried out a prospective, randomised trial between 1988 and 1992, including all newborn infants at our hospital. A total of 15 529 infants was randomised to either clinical screening and ultrasound examination of all hips or clinical screening of all hips and ultrasound examination only of those at risk. The effect of the screening was assessed by the rate of late detection of congenital or developmental hip dysplasia in the two groups. During follow-up of between six and 11 years, only one late-detected hip dysplasia was seen in the universal group, compared with five in the subjective group, representing a rate of 0.13 and 0.65 per 1000, respectively. The difference in late detection between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.22). When clinical screening is of high quality, as in our study, the effect of an additional ultrasound examination, measured as late-presenting hip dysplasia, is marginal. Under such circumstances, we consider that universal ultrasound screening is not necessary, but recommend selective ultrasound screening for neonates with abnormal or suspicious clinical findings and those with risk factors for hip dysplasia

Between May 1992 and April 1997, there were 20 452 births in the Blackburn District. In the same period 1107 infants with hip ‘at-risk’ factors were screened prospectively by ultrasound. We recorded the presence of dislocation and dysplasia detected under the age of six months using Graf’s alpha angle. Early dislocation was present in 36 hips (34 dislocatable and 2 irreducible). Of the 36 unstable hips, 30 (83%) were referred as being Ortolani-positive or unstable; 25 (69%) of these had at least one of the risk factors. Only 11 (31%) were identified from the ‘at-risk’ screening programme alone (0.54 per 1000 live births). Eight cases of ‘late’ dislocation presented after the age of six months (0.39 per 1000 live births). The overall rate of dislocation was 2.2 per 1000 live births. Only 31% of the dislocated hips belonged to a major ‘at-risk’ group. Statistical analysis confirmed that the risk factors had a relatively poor predictive value if used as a screening test for dislocation. In infants referred for doubtful clinical instability, one dislocation was detected for every 11 infants screened (95% confidence interval (CI) 8 to 17) whereas in infants referred because of the presence of any of the major ‘at-risk’ factors the rate was one in 75 (95% CI 42 to 149). Routine ultrasound screening of the ‘at-risk’ groups on their own is of little value in significantly reducing the rate of ‘late’ dislocation in DDH, but screening clinically unstable hips alone or associated with ‘at-risk’ factors has a high rate of detection

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

Between 1978 and 1997 all newborns in the Austrian province of Tyrol were reviewed regarding hip dysplasia and related surgery. This involved a mean of 8257 births per year (7766 to 8858). Two observation periods were determined: 1978 to 1982 (clinical examination alone) and 1993 to 1997 (clinical examination and universal ultrasound screening). A retrospective analysis compared the number and cost of interventions due to hip dysplasia in three patient age groups: A, 0 to < 1.5 years; B, ≥ 1.5 to < 15 years; and C, ≥ 15 to < 35 years. In group A, there was a decrease in hip reductions from a mean of 25.2 (. sd. 2.8) to 7.0 (. sd. 1.4) cases per year. In group B, operative procedures decreased from a mean of 17.8 (. sd. 3.5) to 2.6 (. sd. 1.3) per year. There was a 75.9% decrease in the total number of interventions for groups A and B. An increase of €57 000 in the overall cost per year for the second period (1993 to 1997) was seen, mainly due to the screening programme. However, there was a marked reduction in costs of all surgical and non-surgical treatments for dysplastic hips from €410 000 (1978 to 1982) to €117 000 (1993 to 1997). We believe the small proportional increase in costs of the universal ultrasound screening programme is justifiable as it was associated with a reduction in the number of non-surgical and surgical interventions. We therefore recommend universal hip ultrasound screening for neonates

We studied the reproducibility of ultrasonographic screening examination of the hip when read by diagnostic radiographers. In order to determine interobserver variability, 200 ultrasonograms were classified according to Graf’s method by five observers (four radiographers and one radiologist). The kappa values for interobserver variability indicated moderate agreement (kappa 0.47) for the exact Graf classification and substantial agreement (kappa 0.65) for the classification of normal (type I) versus abnormal (type IIa-IV). Agreement was significantly different for normal, immature and abnormal hips. Comparison of the findings in our interobserver study with existing information based on other examinations and treatment revealed that only a small number of infants with mildly dysplastic hips would have been typed as normal by some observers as a result of observer variability. In conclusion, the interobserver agreement on the ultrasound assessment of the hip was good enough for screening purposes. Observer variability did not result in any severe cases being missed

We have analysed the patterns of management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in Coventry over a period of 20 years during which three different screening policies were used. From 1976 to the end of 1985 we relied on clinical examination alone. The mean surgical cost for the treatment of DDH during this period was £5110 per 1000 live births. This was reduced to £3811 after the introduction of ultrasound for infants with known risk factors. Since June 1989 we have routinely scanned all infants at birth with a mean surgical cost of £468 per 1000 live births. This reduction in cost is a result of the earlier detection of DDH with fewer children requiring surgery. In those who do, fewer and less invasive procedures are needed. The overall rate of treatment has not increased and regular review of patients managed in a Pavlik harness has allowed us to avoid the complication of avascular necrosis. When we add the cost of running the screening programme to the expense of treating the condition, the overall cost for the management of DDH is comparable for the different screening policies

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis may be associated with hypothyroidism and other endocrinopathies. Routine screening for such abnormalities is unlikely to be cost-effective since the overall incidence of these disorders, in association with slipped capital femoral epiphysis, is low. The identification of a presenting characteristic which would predict the chance of an associated endocrinopathy would allow only selected children to be screened. Our aim was to determine if certain characteristics were useful as a screen for patients with an underlying endocrinopathy who presented with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Between January 1988 and December 1996 we recorded gender, age, height, unilateral or bilateral involvement and an associated diagnosis of endocrinopathy for all patients who were treated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Of 166 such patients 13 (7.8%) had an endocrinopathy. Height was the only useful screening characteristic, although bilateral involvement was more likely in those with an endocrinopathy. Most (90.9%) of this latter group were below the tenth percentile for height compared with only 5.4% in those who did not have an endocrinopathy (p < 0.005). The sensitivity and negative predictive value of detecting an underlying endocrinopathy in a patient presenting with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis and short stature (tenth percentile or less) were 90.2% and 98.6%, respectively. Patients who are on or below the tenth percentile for height at the time of presentation should be screened for a possible endocrine abnormality using measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine as a preliminary screening test. These hormones are most likely to be abnormal in the presence of endocrine dysfunction

Between 1956 1999, 132 601 living children were born in and Malmö, and screened for neonatal instability of the hip. All late diagnosed patients have been followed and re-examined clinically and radiologically. During the first years of screening, less than five per 1000 living newborn infants were treated. This figure increased to 35 per 1000 in 1980, but later diminished again to about six per 1000 annually after 1990. The number of referred cases decreased from 45 per 1000 in 1980 to between 10 to 15 per 1000 from 1990. During the period of high rates of referral and treatment a larger number of paediatricians were involved in the screening procedure than during the periods with low rates of referral and treatment. Altogether 21 patients (0.16 per 1000) with developmental dislocation of the hip were diagnosed late, after one week. At follow-up, 18 were free from symptoms and 15 considered to be radiologically normal

Between 1985 and 1998, 12 331 patients were included in the general neonatal ultrasound hip screening programme for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Patients who needed treatment (604) were compared with a second group of 73 unscreened children treated conservatively and surgically for DDH. The incidence of Graf sonographic hip types IIc to IV varied throughout the observation period. Femoral and pelvic osteotomies were almost entirely restricted to the unscreened group of patients. The six to ten per year recorded in the period 1985 to 1990 declined subsequently to three or less per year. The yearly admissions to hospital fell noticeably after six years of screening. Late presentations of DDH were reduced to three or less per year from 1990 to 1994, none between 1995 and 1998 and one or two per year from 2000. We conclude that general neonatal sonographic hip screening can reduce significantly surgical procedures, hospitalisation and late presentation of DDH

There is controversy whether congenital foot abnormalities are true risk factors for pathological dysplasia of the hip. Previous United Kingdom screening guidelines considered congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) to be a risk factor for hip dysplasia, but present guidelines do not. We assessed the potential relationship between pathological dysplasia of the hip and fixed idiopathic CTEV. We present a single-centre 21-year prospective longitudinal observational study. All fixed idiopathic CTEV cases were classified (Harrold and Walker Types 1 to 3) and the hips clinically and sonographically assessed. Sonographic Graf Type III, IV and radiological irreducible hip dislocation were considered to be pathological hip dysplasia. Over 21 years there were 139 children with 199 cases of fixed idiopathic CTEV feet. Sonographically, there were 259 normal hips, 18 Graf Type II hips, 1 Graf Type III hip and 0 Graf Type IV hip. There were no cases of radiological or sonographic irreducible hip dislocation. Fixed idiopathic CTEV should not be considered as a significant risk factor for pathological hip dysplasia. This conclusion is in keeping with the current newborn and infant physical examination guidelines in which the only risk factors routinely screened are family history and breech presentation. Our findings suggest CTEV should not be considered a significant risk factor in pathological dysplasia of the hip. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1553–5

We present the results of treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in infancy with the Pavlik harness using a United Kingdom screening programme with ultrasound-guided supervision. Initially, 128 consecutive hips in 77 patients were reviewed over a 40-month period; 123 of these were finally included in the study. The mean age of the patients at the start of treatment was five weeks (1 to 12). All hips were examined clinically and monitored with ultrasound scanning. Failure of treatment was defined as an inability to maintain reduction with the harness. All hips diagnosed with dysplasia or subluxation but not dislocation were managed successfully in the harness. There were 43 dislocated hips, of which 39 were reducible, but six failed treatment in the harness. There were four dislocated but irreducible hips which all failed treatment in the harness. One hip appeared to be successfully treated in the harness but showed persistent radiological dysplasia at 12 and 24 months. Grade 1 avascular necrosis was identified radiologically in three patients at 12 months