ULTRASONOGRAPHIC SCREENING OF NEONATAL HIP - RESULTS AND EXPERIENCES

1291 newborn were examined sonographically between May 1986 and June 1987. Some of them were followed up radiologically until February 1989. The schedule of examination and treatment is given below. Neonatal examination suggested the immediate treatment of 3.25% of the newborn (1.97% of all hips), either Pavlik harness or abduction brace. The mean duration of therapy was 4.3 months. At the end of therapy type I was always in evidence. Patients with severe dysplasia (Graf type IIc or worse) were followed up radiologically at the end of the 2nd year of life. An avascular necrosis of the femoral head was not observed; in one case there was an acetabular index of 30-degrees; the remaining hip joints showed normal findings. We conclude that ultrasound examination in the neonatal period is a worthwhile procedure.