SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE FETAL HIP

Recent advances in ultrasound technology, especially high-resolution s onography, now permit visualisation of the fetal hip development. Sinc e early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hip dislocation signific antly influence the outcome of the disease, ultrasound screening of th e newborn infants showed to be the most effective method. In our study assessment of the fetal hip has been performed on the prenatal level in order to provide basic knowledge on fetal hip development from 14th to 40th weeks of gestation. From the 20th week of gestation bony stru ctures are clearly visible and allow the assessment of acetabular conf iguration. Soft tissue and chondral acetabular components are recogniz able from the 21st week. For pre- and postnatal comparative measures G raf's method and standard documentation is used.