Effectiveness of neonatal screening for congenital dislocation of the hip.

Despite the examination of neonates for congenital dislocation of the hip, this condition is being diagnosed after the newborn period at a rate not very different from that reported before the introduction of screening. The majority of late-diagnosed cases had been examined after birth, and the sensitivity of the tests used routinely is called into question. Re-examination of all infants at 3-6 months is proposed to reduce the number of missed cases and so minimise late sequelae.