Utility of routine X-ray surveillance following hip sonography for developmental dysplasia in children: a single-center study spanning a decade

Description

German screening uses ultrasound to catch hip dysplasia in babies, and children whose hips heal under treatment may be followed with X-rays. Matthias Wolf and co-authors asked whether those X-rays are worthwhile. They reviewed a decade of cases at one center: children whose hips looked healthy on ultrasound after treatment and who had at least one X-ray by age two. Four hundred fifty hips qualified, and over half had needed treatment.

Later X-rays surprised the team: fifty-three hips showed severe dysplasia and seven showed extreme dysplasia, despite healthy ultrasound readings. Statistical modeling found the original ultrasound grade the strongest warning sign. The most severe baby grades, with cast treatment and overhead traction, independently predicted later problems. Mild cases deteriorated least often. The authors support X-ray follow up after successful treatment, while calling for studies on which children benefit most.

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Source: https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC11649832