Diagnosing dislocation of the hip in infancy.

In evaluating the diagnosis of dislocation of the hip in childhood by orthopedists in Oregon in 1985, we identified 36 dislocations in 32 patients, an incidence of 0.9 per 1,000 live births. In 12 patients, 12 dislocations (33%) were diagnosed after the neonatal period, 5 of which were diagnosed at walking age. Of the 12 children with a late diagnosis, 10 had normal hips when examined in the neonatal period. Neonatal screening will not detect all cases of congenitally dislocated hip. If dislocation of the hip in childhood is to be diagnosed in a timely manner, it is essential that children's hips be examined at the time of routine well-baby evaluations until a normal gait has been established.