Evaluation of risk factors in developmental dysplasia of the hip: results of infantile hip ultrasonography.

In this study, risk factors of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) were evaluated. History, clinical examination and risk factors for DDH of the babies were recorded. The hips were evaluated with ultrasonography. Infantile hip ultrasonography is one of the best methods for screening of DDH. Ultrasonography is easy, repeatable and provides visualization of the cartilage part of the hip joint. Graf's method of infantile hip ultrasonography was used to evaluate the hip in this study. Both hips of 371 babies and 32 unilateral hips of 32 babies were included in the study. In 403 babies, 14 (3.4%) had DDH. There were 5 type IIB, 7 type IIC, 1 type D, and 1 type IV hips. Physiological immaturity was present in 81 hips (19% of babies). According to risk factor analysis, the only risk factor in unilateral analysis was presence of oligohydramnios (odd ratio-OR: 11.8, confidence interval-CI: 2.7-52.7). In correlation analysis, there was a correlation between female gender and swaddling. There was overall increase in DDH in female babies who were swaddled compared to those who were not. The results of this study showed that the most important risk factor was oligohydramnios for DDH. Swaddling and female gender increased the risk of the disease, but further studies in larger series are necessary for the confirmation of these results.