Abstract
BackgroundSome etiological factors involved in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) occur in the last trimester of pregnancy, which could result in a decreased incidence of DDH in preterm infants. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of DDH between preterm and term infants.MethodsUltrasound of the hip joint was performed in 2,534 term infants and 376 preterm infants within the population-based Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP) study.ResultsA total of 42 (1.66%) term infants had DDH (Graf type II c, 0.8%; type D, 0.3% left and 0.4% right; type III a, 0.2% left). Eighteen infants had bilateral findings. Hip dysplasia occurred more frequently in female neonates (32/1,182 vs. 10/1,302, p < 0.023; 95% CI 0.012–0.022, χ2 test). A familial disposition for DDH was found in 169 (6.7%) term infants and 181 (7.1%) infants in the overall population. In preterm infants, dysplasia of the hip was found in only three late preterm infants with gestational age between 36 and 37 weeks (n = 97) and not in preterm infants <36 weeks gestational age (n = 279). Regression analysis revealed a narrowly significant association between gestational week of birth and DDH (relative risk = 1.17; 95% confidence interval 0.99–1.37; p = 0.065).ConclusionOur study suggests that preterm infants <36 weeks gestational age have a decreased risk of DDH.
Highlights
Some etiological factors involved in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) occur in the last trimester of pregnancy, which could result in a decreased incidence of DDH in preterm infants
Hip ultrasound was documented in 2,534 term neonates and 376 preterm neonates born between January 2004 and November 2008 (Fig. 2)
In the Poisson regression, we found no significant differences between term infants (1.75%) and preterm infants (0.53%) with respect to the prevalence of hip dysplasia
Summary
Some etiological factors involved in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) occur in the last trimester of pregnancy, which could result in a decreased incidence of DDH in preterm infants. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of DDH between preterm and term infants. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common congenital malformations with a regionally varying incidence of 1.5–4.9% [1,2,3,4,5]. There are endogenous, exogenous, and genetic factors that cause malposition of the femur, which in turn causes malformation of the acetabulum or too shallow of an acetabulum to form with primary malpositioning of the femur head [10].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
