BILATERAL HIP-DYSPLASIA - A CASE-REPORT

BACKGROUND: Hip dysplasia affects 1% of newborns. Our health system sc reening begins at birth, and our educational system requires health sc reens at various ages, so physicians in this country rarely find an ad ult with an undiagnosed congenital condition. CASE: Bilateral hip disl ocation Teas diagnosed on a 20-year-old, nulliparous woman who had jus t arrived from Puerto Rico. She tolerated her abnormal gait well, unaw are of the condition of her hips. After an unremarkable prenatal cours e, she was admitted at term with ruptured membranes for stimulation of labor. She developed secondary arrest of labor, and a healthy, 3,180- g, female infant was delivered by cesarean. CONCLUSION: In hip dysplas ia, early diagnosis (and therapy) prevents long-term consequences.