Developmental dysplasia of the hip can result in significant morbidity both in childhood and later in adult life. Early diagnosis enables better results to be obtained with fewer complications, while delayed diagnosis can lead to prolonged treatment with less satisfactory outcome. A Neonatal Hip Screening program for DDH has been in place in the National University Hospital, Singapore since December 1989. Our program is run by consultant neonatologists and consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeons. All neonates seen with DDH are followed up for a minimum of 1 year with ultrasonography and X-rays. Our results show an incidence of dislocated hips of 4.7 per 1000 live births. The incidence of neonates with acetabular dysplasia as defined by an Acetabular Index of > 30° is 16.8 per 1000 live births. The early diagnosis and treatment of hip dislocation is important for the development of a normal acetabulum. Neonatal Hip Screening programs have been shown to be effective in the early diagnosis, resulting in successful outcome of treatment and reduction of economic costs in the management of DDH. The finding of a significant incidence of DDH in our population and the successful management after early diagnosis in our study have vindicated the establishment of our hip screening program.
The use of the x-rays as an aid to the early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis
