Study on the diagnosis time of developmental dysplasia of the hip

We determined the time till diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip in Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran. A total of 1100 infants (530 boys and 570 girls) aged 1.5-4.5 months attending university outpatient clinics for vaccination during June 2001 to January 2002 were examined for developmental dysplasia of the hip. Ortalani and Barlow methods and sonography were used for diagnosis. Of 105 suspected cases, 10 were confirmed with developmental dysplasia of the hip (2 boys and 8 girls): 7 were diagnosed during the study and only 3 cases had been diagnosed previously. This late diagnosis is far greater than reported in other studies.