Developmental dislocation of the hip. Screening and follow-up organization.

Early detection and low-risk treatment are the two main objectives of the m anagement of developmental dislocation of the hip. The best way to evaluate neonatal hips is to perform clinical and ultrasound examinations at the sa me time, and to confront their results. Early diagnosis allows to restrict treatment to infants with neonatal dislocation who do not improve by 4 week s of age. On the other hand, neonates with reductible dislocated hips must be treated at birth and followed at the joint consultation. Early diagnosis and management must not decrease later efforts to detect dislocated hip un til walking age. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.