This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Further opinion Submit a response View responses Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Myers, J. Articles by Lynskey, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Myers, J. Articles by Lynskey, T.

The effectiveness of a programme for neonatal hip screening over a period of 40 years

A FOLLOW-UP OF THE NEW PLYMOUTH EXPERIENCE

¹ Christchurch Public Hospital, Riccarton Avenue, Private bag, 4710 Christchurch, New Zealand.
² Taranaki Base Hospital, David Street, Private bag 2016 New Plymouth 4342, New Zealand.

Correspondence should be sent to Dr S. Hadlow; e-mail: simonhadlow{at}xtra.co.nz

Since September 1964, neonates born in New Plymouth have undergone clinical examination for instability of the hip in a structured clinical screening programme. Of the 41 563 babies born during this period, 1639 were diagnosed as having unstable hips and 663 (1.6%) with persisting instability were splinted, five of which failed. Also, three unsplinted hips progressed to congenital dislocation, and there were four late-presenting (walking) cases, giving an overall failure rate of 0.29 per 1000 live births, with an incidence of late-walking congenital dislocation of the hip of 0.1 per 1000 live births.

This study confirms that clinical screening for neonatal instability of the hip by experienced orthopaedic examiners significantly reduces the incidence of late-presenting (walking) congenital dislocation of the hip.

eLetters: