INFLUENCE OF ULTRASOUND HIP SCREENING IN NEWBORNS ON THE RATES OF AVASCULAR FEMORAL-HEAD NECROSIS AND OF SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS

We compared two similarly sized groups of sonographically unstable or decentered hips with comparable initial findings, both treated by stan dardized conservative primary treatment. The results show that an earl y definite diagnosis improves the prognosis. If built on a secure init ial diagnosis rationally grounded and efficient conservative therapy c an be initiated and followed through on. Since the treatment is starte d extremely early, the hip can benefit from the considerably greater p otential for spontaneous development present in the first three months of life. In this way we can shorten the treatment time considerably a nd also complete it at a younger age. Finally, early treatment also re duces the risk of the complication of necrosis of the femoral head and significantly decreases the rate of surgical procedures. Only a suffi ciently well executed and comprehensively organized sonographic neonat al screening program can produce a definite very early diagnosis and w ith it almost 100% successful early treatment of all grades of disturb ances of hip maturity. Sonographic screening of the newborn is a very important piece in the jigsaw of prophylaxis and primary prevention in our public health care program.