ULTRASOUND SCREENING OF NEONATAL HIPS

Problem: Clinical and ultrasound data of neonatal hips were analysed t o answer the question whether a neonatal screening is necessary or not . Method: Children born between 1. 1. 1991 and 31.3. 1995 were examine d clinically and by ultrasound. The data were analysed by SPSS/PC. Res ults: 5069 children with 10 138 hips were examined. 85 % were mature ( type I), 14 % were physiologically immature (type IIa) and 1.2% were p athological (IIc, D, IIIa). The comparison shows, that from 119 hips w ith pathological ultrasound findings only 44 (37 %) had positive clini cal findings. A screening that is restricted to children with positive risk factors (positive family history or breech position) would resul t in half of the newborns with pathological hips not being treated in time.