Sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective study.

Background: Detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants is crucial. This study aimed to estimate the sensitivity of clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in a tertiary care setting. We compared clinical findings with ultrasound results to determine diagnostic accuracy.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated newborns aged 0-4 months treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip from May 2017 to June 2023 at a tertiary care centre in Switzerland. All patients underwent clinical examinations and a hip ultrasound scan (Graf method). The sensitivity of clinical findings was calculated, along with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and stratified by developmental dysplasia of the hip severity.

Results: Among 122 newborns, clinical screening demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 66% (95% CI: 58-74%). Sensitivity was higher for unstable hips (91%, 95% CI: 82-99%) than for stable hips (50%, 95% CI: 38-62%). Differences in diagnostic timing were observed between groups.

Conclusion: Clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip showed limited sensitivity, particularly for stable cases. Universal ultrasound screening could improve early detection rates.