Fifty percent of patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia showed normal findings upon neonatal ultrasound screening

Abstract

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is characterized by the pathomorphology of inadequate acetabular coverage of the femoral head leading to increased loading of the articular surface and acetabular rim. If left untreated, this ultimately leads to osteoarthritis. Germany introduced anationwide universal ultrasound screening program for all newborn infants in 1996. Subsequently, the incidence of undiagnosed hip dislocation was significantly reduced. In this consecutive series of patients who underwent periacetabular osteotomy for the treatment of symptomatic dysplasia of the hip between October 2014 and October 2022 data regarding the U3screening examination were analyzed. The data included whether the examination was performed, whether the findings were positive or negative, whether the patients underwent any form of treatment in the case of apositive finding and whether acontrol X‑ray was performed. This study provides evidence that acetabular undercoverage cannot be ruled out based on anormal finding in ultrasonography screening. Furthermore, the study also shows that residual dysplasia may persist despite attempts of conservative treatment.