Orthopaedic out-patient care for children of pre-school age.

Four hundred and sixty-six or 11.5% of a cohort of 4,039 children, aged 0-6 years, were referred to the orthopaedic clinic (trauma cases excluded). Twenty-three per cent of the children were referred from the obstetric departments, 64% from Children Health Centres, and 6% from district pediatricians. Up to the age of six months, referrals for hip conditions were most frequent, while above this age foot deformities were the most frequent reason for referral. The 466 children referred made 1,423 out-patient visits and were admitted on 52 occasions. Three hundred and sixty-nine radiological examinations were carried out. Of 83 infants referred for congenital dysplasia of the hip before one month of age, 54 were treated. Of 90 children older than one month, the diagnosis was confirmed in three. Of 80 children referred for pes adductus and 65 for pes planus, inserts or orthosis were prescribed in 25% and 31% respectively.