Problems encountered in screening study with ultrasound for early diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of hip in eastern region of Turkey

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate results of the screening program of the developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) were examined in newborn period. The problems encountered in the applicability of the early screening program were evaluated.
METHODS: By interviewing with the family of 1680 newborns born in our institution or referred, the information was given about the DDH and its risk factors, learnt were recorded. The families were told to bring their babies for examination and hip ultrasound at the 3rd or 4th week of birth. In addition, all the parents were called by telephone to be remind their appointments one day ago.
RESULTS: Five hundred and thirty-six babies (31.3%) were brought to the first appointment. Forty-two hips (3.9%) of the 30 infants (5.6%) were detected to be the dislocation (Type 2c, D, 3). The 8 of these 30 patients (26.7%) whom the treatment was started were brought for the second control. Asymmetry of thigh folds was positive in the highest rate as the finding of the examination in the infants brought to the appointment. The rate of swaddling at the first appointment was found to be 74.2%.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Surprisingly, less than one third of children were brought to ultrasound examination at first control. Similarly, about 3/4 of the parents continued to use swaddling for their babies. In order for the planned national DDH screening program to be successful, additional precautions must be taken to ensure the participation of the families and release of the swaddling.