Children’s (Paediatric) Hip Ultrasound for DDH

Author: Dr Timothy Cain*

What are the generally accepted indications for paediatric hip ultrasound for DDH?

The primary indication for hip ultrasound is the detection of hip laxity or ‘clicky hips’ in infants, usually around the time of the 6 week check-up after delivery. Asymmetry of the thigh skin folds can be seen in DDH and is a further indication for referral. Hip ultrasound should also be carried out when there are risk factors; breech presentation, oligohydramnios, neuromuscular disorders or a family history of DDH in a first-degree relative.

What are the prerequisites for having a paediatric hip ultrasound for DDH done?

Some countries have hip ultrasound screening programs where all children are examined with hip ultrasound soon after they are born. In Australia, the hip ultrasound study is only carried out if there are risk factors or an abnormal clinical examination.

What are the absolute contraindications for a paediatric hip ultrasound for DDH?

Previous unsatisfactory examination because of femoral head ossification.

What are the relative contraindications for a paediatric hip ultrasound for DDH?

Paediatric hip ultrasound is of less value in children aged less than 6 weeks (due to immaturity of joint formation) or those aged over 6 months (where femoral ossification can prevent adequate visualisation of the acetabulum).

The variation in the normal appearance of the hip before 6 weeks-of-age significantly decreases the accuracy of the test and increases the false positive imaging incidence. However, ultrasound is appropriate for infants with signs of dislocation for whom treatment is being planned. The issue is to balance the benefit of early detection with the risk of overtreatment.

In older infants, femoral ossification, which limits visualisation of the acetabulum, is more commonly a problem in girls who tend to ossify their femoral heads at a slightly younger age than boys.

What are the adverse effects of a paediatric hip ultrasound for DDH?

There are no adverse effects.

Is there any specific post procedural care required following paediatric hip ultrasound for DDH?

No post-procedural care is required. Ultrasound gel is easily cleaned off the child, who can immediately return to usual activities.

Are there alternative imaging tests, interventions or surgical procedures to a paediatric hip ultrasound for DDH?

Hip ultrasound is the imaging investigation of choice. If the hip joint ossification is slightly advanced, the echogenic bone might prevent adequate examination of the hip joint, and a pelvis X-ray might be required.

Further Information about paediatric hip ultrasound for DDH:

Follow-up imaging and assessment might be required.

It is important that the ultrasound findings are correlated with the clinical assessment of the stability of the hip joints. The ultrasound can appear normal when the hip is clinically assessed as being unstable and requiring treatment, or the ultrasound might show an abnormality requiring treatment when the hip is clinically normal. Ultrasound studies of the hips are often repeated, if the clinical or ultrasound findings are abnormal, to ensure that normal growth/development occurs; even when no active treatment is administered.

Useful websites about paediatric hip ultrasound for DDH:

Neonatal Handbook – Royal Women’s Hospital
www.rch.org.au/nets/handbook/index.cfm?doc_id=453

*The author has no conflict of interest with this topic.

Page last modified on 26/7/2017.