Impact of Pavlik Harness treatment on motor skills acquisition: A case–control study

Abstract

Purpose: Our purpose was to analyze the impact of Pavlik Harness treatment on children motor skills development, comparing to a control group. Methods: A total of 121 children were included: 55 cases (children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip) and 66 healthy controls. Cases were recruited from 2017 to 2021 and followed up to 2022. Controls (healthy children without orthopedic pathology) were recruited from 2020 to 2022. The primary endpoint was the time of achievement of three gross motor milestones (sitting without support, hands-and-knees crawling, and walking independently). Results: The groups had no differences regarding sex distribution, gestational age, birth weight, and rate of twin pregnancy. The prevalence of positive family history of Development Dysplasia of the Hip (20.0% vs 3.0%, p < 0.003), breech presentation (38.2% vs 1.5%, p < 0.001), and C-section delivery (60.0% vs 19.7%, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in Development Dysplasia of the Hip group. Children with Development Dysplasia of the Hip achieved the three gross milestones evaluated 1 month later than healthy controls, although this was not statistically significant (p = 0.133 for sitting, p = 0.670 for crawling, and p = 0.499 for walking). Conclusion: Children with Development Dysplasia of the Hip, treated by Pavlik harness, do not have significant delays in motor skills acquisition.