Which health care provider assessment technique does the nurse anticipate being used to determine developmental dysplasia of the hip on a newborn?

  • Research article
  • Open Access
  • Published: 07 July 2020

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders volume 21, Article number: 442 (2020) Cite this article

  • 2473 Accesses

  • 5 Citations

  • 1 Altmetric

  • Metrics details

Abstract

Background

The development of developmental dysplasia of the hip can be attributed to several risk factors and often in combination with each other. When predicting the likelihood of developing this condition, clinicians tend to over and underestimate its likelihood of occurring.

Therefore, the study aim is to determine among at-risk newborns how to best predict developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) within 8 weeks post-partum.

Methods

Prospective cohort study in secondary care. Patient population included newborns at-risk for DDH – we assessed 13,276 consecutive newborns for the presence of DDH risk factors. Only newborns with at least one of the predefined risk factors and those showing an abnormal examination of the hip were enrolled (n = 2191). For the development of a risk prediction model we considered 9 candidate predictors and other variables readily available at childbirth.

The main outcome measure was ultrasonography at a median age of 8 weeks using consensus diagnostic criteria; outcome assessors were blinded.

Results

The risk model includes four predictors: female sex (OR = 5.6; 95% CI: 2.9–10.9; P <  0.001); first degree family history of DDH (OR = 4.5; 95% CI: 2.3–9.0; P <  0.001), birthweight > 4000 g (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 0.6–4.2; P = 0.34), and abnormal examination of hip (OR = 58.8; 95% CI: 31.9, 108.5; P <  0.001). This model demonstrated excellent discrimination (C statistic = 0.9) and calibration of observed and predicted risk (P = 0.35). A model without the variable ‘hip examination’ demonstrated similar performance.

Conclusion

The risk model quantifies absolute risk of DDH within 8 weeks postpartum in at-risk newborns. Based on clinical variables readily available at the point of childbirth, the model will enhance parental counselling and could serve as the basis for real time decisions prior to discharge from maternity wards.

Peer Review reports

Background

In early infancy the spectrum of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) represents a continuum of risk from benign self-limiting instability to frank dislocation that requires rapid orthopaedic input. Multiple widely accepted perinatal risk factors are used to identify at-risk newborns and triage them to, for example, rapid orthopaedics referral or selective ultrasound screening. Newborns and infants with the following features are generally thought to be at-risk for DDH: female sex, family history of DDH, breech delivery, first born, and abnormal examination of the hip [1]. Less widely accepted factors include foot deformities, [2, 3] high birth weight, [4] and torticollis [5].

With use of these factors clinicians on maternity wards estimate the likelihood of DDH to be present or to develop; counsel parents of affected newborns; and make triage decisions. However, the risk factors often tend to occur in combinations and since they are interrelated, clinicians could over or underestimate the likelihood of DDH being present or becoming present. A risk model that could help clinicians making predictions about DDH for individual at-risk newborns would thus be a useful tool for clinicians.

The aim of our study was to develop a new prediction model that can generate absolute predicted risk of DDH within 8 weeks postpartum on the basis of each at-risk newborn’s individualised clinical risk profile.

Methods

Setting and eligibility

Consecutive newborns of an urban teaching hospital in London, England, and those referred by family physicians were eligible for this prospective cohort study, conducted from November 2010 to January 2013. This hospital provides ante and postnatal services for the local population and acts as a tertiary referral unit for pregnant women and neonates. The local population is mixed representing all socioeconomic groups in a multi ethnic community. Newborns were ineligible if they had a syndrome or neurological disorder, which by definition excludes DDH as a possible diagnosis. The Institutional Review Board approved the study. Caregivers provided written informed consent.

Predictor selection and measurement

A dedicated research team examined each newborn and community referral and ascertained all variables prospectively. The median newborn age at this assessment was 1 day (interquartile range, 0–1 days). We assessed newborns for the presence of widely-accepted DDH risk factors, based on systematic reviews, [1, 5, 6] clinical guidelines, [7] and a consensus document of experts from 34 countries [8]. These included a family history of DDH in a first degree relative (parental self-report); breech lie in the third trimester with cephalic presentation or breech presentation at birth; and history of oligohydramnios (ultrasound-based diagnosis at 18th to 20th week of gestation with amniotic fluid index ≤5). We also recorded sex, birth weight; whether it was a first born child; a twin pregnancy; a vaginal or a caesarean delivery.

All newborns underwent an examination of their hips and we ascertained the presence of standardized diagnostic criteria for DDH [8] – Ortolani or Barlow sign; asymmetry in hip abduction ≥20°; leg length discrepancy (Galeazzi sign). We recorded the presence of a torticollis. We included all foot deformity and grouped them (based on the assessment of a physiotherapist) into those with marked postural deformities (e.g. metatarsus adductus; calcaneovalgus) that we followed on at least one occasion with a physiotherapist to ensure improvement; and those with clubfeet that we immediately referred to a surgeon). Neonatology residents, overseen by attending neonatologists and dedicated research nurses, carried out these assessments. Newborns with abnormal or equivocal clinical examination of the hip underwent a concurrent examination by an attending neonatologist or attending pediatric orthopaedics surgeon to confirm eligibility. During the course of the study 68 infants were referred by family physicians for a possible diagnosis of DDH due to risk factors and we included them all. Central project staff ensured quality through training sessions and regular on-site data quality audits. We ensured recruitment of consecutive patients by daily comparing the number of newborns with the number of case report forms completed (birth occurring on weekends were compared on Mondays). The same was done weekly for referrals made by family physicians. We randomly performed double examination of 230 hips (115 infants) to determine the inter-rater reliability in the hip examination between the team of residents and a pediatric orthopaedics surgeon: hips were examined reliably (inter-rater κ = 0.90).

Outcome

One outcome was assessed for all patients – ultrasound-based diagnosis of DDH at age 6–8 weeks (median, 8 weeks). We classified sonograms with use of standardized diagnostic criteria based on international consensus [8] which define an α-angle [9] < 55° as DDH. This outcome is robust as any such finding warrants monitoring or treatment [8]. In rare instances where hips were scanned before 6 weeks because of suspected dislocation, we defined α < 43° as DDH [8].

Two senior attending pediatric radiologists and 3 sonographers specifically trained in infant hip ultrasonography performed (and reported) all ultrasound tests in dedicated clinics according to a standardized protocol [9] (GE Medical Systems, Chalfont St. Giles, United Kingdom). We (AR, PH) evaluated all scans that had been reported as α < 60°, blinded to predictors and original report; we performed our own measurement of the α-angle, which we used for this study. We did the same for a random sample of scans that had been reported as α > 60°; we found that our measurements were consistent with the initial report in all cases and thus assumed robustness of the initial report. Inter-rater reliability studies for the α-angles in the original scan reports and that reported by the study team showed an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.86–0.90).

Of 13,208 livebirths and 68 community referrals, 2276 (17%) newborns were eligible (Fig. 1). Of those, 80 (3%) caregivers declined participation. Of 2191 consented newborns, 1953 (89%) completed the ultrasound and were included in the analysis; 238 (11%) infants who did not were excluded (Table 1).

Fig. 1

Which health care provider assessment technique does the nurse anticipate being used to determine developmental dysplasia of the hip on a newborn?

Flowchart showing patient eligibility and enrollment

Full size image

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of 2271 eligible infants. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise

Full size table

Statistical analysis

We summarized all variables as means and standard deviations or frequencies and proportions, respectively. We treated the occurrence of DDH as a binary outcome (based on α < 55° at age > 42 days, or α < 50 at age < 42 days). We considered for inclusion in the risk prediction model only candidate predictors with a prevalence of > 2% in order to avoid imprecise estimates of regression coefficients [10]. We combined less frequently occurring predictors if clinically plausible (e.g. we created the variable abnormal hip examination, encompassing any hips showing any of the following: positive Barlow, Ortolani, or Galeazzi signs, or asymmetry in abduction ≥20° - hips exhibiting multiple of these criteria were counted once only). We also combined all foot deformities warranting followup with a physiotherapist or with a surgeon into one variable, ‘foot deformity’. The variables oligohydramnios and torticollis were omitted from analysis due to their low prevalence. This resulted in 9 candidate predictors to be analyzed (Additional file 1).

Variables associated with DDH at p <  0.10 in simple logistic regression were taken to multivariate analysis. They were: female sex, family history of DDH, first born, birth weight, foot deformity warranting followup, and abnormal hip examination. Because “breech presentation/breech in last trimester” is a widely accepted risk factor, we explored this variable further despite it not meeting this threshold. We tested if the mode of delivery (vaginal or caesarean) would affect its association with DDH. No such effect was seen. Hence, we omitted ‘breech presentation/breech in last trimester’ from further analyses. We dichotomised the variable birth weight (because it would be easier to use for clinicians) based on an accepted threshold of 4000 g [4, 8].

For derivation of a risk prediction model, we included all 6 candidate predictors in a multivariable logistic regression model and used backward elimination and retained predictors at the 5% significance level. Four of 6 predictors retained in the model: female sex; family history; birth weight > 4000 g; and abnormal hip examination. We also developed a model without the variable ‘abnormal hip examination’ as this may be of interest for certain groups of clinicians.

Birthweight was missing for 61 cases and first born was missing for 35 cases. We used multiple imputation (assuming data were missing at random) to account for this missing data when fitting the final multivariable models. The imputation models included all risk factors considered in the univariate analysis (which we assume includes all predictors of missingness). We generated 20 data sets and ran logistic regression, using the whole data set and implementing a bootstrap (200 samples) for each imputed data set to correct for overfitting. Results from analyses using 20 imputed datasets were compared with those only including infants without missing data and no differences were found. We derived the final models by fitting a logistic regression model for all significant predictors. Estimates were combined using Rubin rules [11].

Outcome data was missing for 238 infants. Summaries of risk factor data showed these cases were not different to cases with available ultrasound information. Furthermore, we ran a sensitivity analysis assuming all these 238 cases did not have DDH and found that results of univariate analyses were similar to those for 1953 cases; hence we ran multivariable models for cases with available outcome data only.

We assessed the performance of the model in terms of the C statistic (a value of 1.0 is perfect) and calibration. The C statistic represents the probability that for any randomly selected pair of newborns with and without DDH, the newborn who had DDH had a higher predicted risk. Calibration refers to how similar the model-estimated likelihood of DDH was to the observed likelihood of DDH (Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test – a well-fitting model will result in p > 0.05).

We validated the model to correct measures of predictive performance for optimism by bootstrapping 200 samples of the derivation data. We repeated the model development process in each bootstrap sample as outlined above in order to produce a model, we applied the model to the same bootstrap sample to quantify apparent performance, and we applied the model to the original dataset to test model performance (C statistic and calibration) and optimism (difference in test performance and apparent performance). We then estimated the overall optimism across all models.

Sample size — in planning the study, we anticipated to evaluate 6–7 independent covariates with a high-enough (> 2%) prevalence in our sample. Our study revealed 77 cases of DDH, which allows for 8 covariates to be examined in multivariable analysis [12].

The local research ethics board approved this study (research ethics committee reference: 14/LO/0420).

Results

Of 9 candidate predictors examined, 6 were associated (P < 0.1) with DDH in univariate analysis (Table 2). Of these, we ultimately retained 4 in the risk prediction model: female sex (OR = 5.6, 95% CI, 2.9–10.9; P < 0.001); family history of DDH (OR = 4.5, 95% CI, 2.3–9.0; P < 0.001); birthweight > 4000 g (OR = 1.6, 95% CI, 0.6–4.2; P = 0.34); abnormal examination of hip (OR = 58.8, 95% CI, 31.9–108.5; P < 0.001) (Table 3). This model discriminated well between newborns with and without DDH (C statistic = 0.9, 95% CI, 0.8–0.9; goodness-of-fit P = 0.35). Omitting 68 community referrals from the analysis did not change these results.

Table 2 Simple regression analysis of candidate predictors in 1953 infants who had outcomes ascertained (DDH was defined as α < 55° at age > 42 days, or α < 50 at age < 42 days). All values are numbers (percentages) unless otherwise stated

Full size table

Table 3 Risk prediction model

Full size table

A model omitting the variable ‘abnormal hip examination’ gave the following odds ratios: female sex 5.8 (95% CI, 3.1–11.0; P < 0.001), family history of DDH 2.6 (95% CI, 1.4–4.7; P < 0.001), birthweight > 4000 g 3.1 (95% CI, 1.6–6.0; P < 0.001). This model also discriminated between cases with and without DDH (C statistic 0.7, 95% CI, 0.7–0.8; goodness-of-fit P = 0.76).

Discussion

Multiple widely-accepted risk factors obtained at bedside are used to identify newborns at-risk for DDH. The additive effects and the interrelationships of these risk factors, however, remain ill-defined. Understanding how to best harness the several risk factors in order to calculate an individual newborn’s risk of being diagnosed with DDH within 8 weeks of birth could be an important addition to the counselling of mothers of at-risk infants, and to the design of postnatal care pathways. We present a new risk prediction model to calculate the absolute risk of DDH in the first 8 weeks postpartum in a large representative sample of at-risk newborns.

Model performance

Our prediction model demonstrated excellent discrimination, that is, the ability to predict correctly amongst at-risk newborns those who have DDH. And it does so with use of only 4 perinatal risk factors. To correct measures of predictive performance for optimism, we did internal validation by bootstrapping. The optimism-adjusted C statistic was 0.9, with a lower bound of 0.8 in its 95% confidence interval, indicating excellent discrimination. We observed good agreement of DDH cases based on our model’s prediction and the original data: only 2 of 77 (2.5%) newborns with DDH were not predicted by our model.

Based on our model at-risk newborns have a 19% risk of obtaining a diagnosis of DDH within 8 weeks if the newborn hip examination is abnormal. This risk is markedly lower for newborns who exhibit other single risk factors, ranging from 0.4% for those with a birthweight > 4000 g to 2% for those who are girls or those who have a positive family history. The model revealed the nature of the additive effect of risk factors – the risk is 50% if an abnormal hip exam is found in newborns with a family history of DDH; or 67% if found in girls. A very high risk of 86% occurs in girls who have an abnormal hip exam as well as a positive family history (Table 3).

Model content

The strongest single predictor was an abnormal physical examination of the hip – 43 of 86 (50%) infants with an abnormal examination of the hip had DDH confirmed. An abnormal examination of the hip is not always a definite symptom of DDH since hips can improve spontaneously in this age group. However, the second model that we present omits the hip examination entirely and it performed comparably well in predicting cases with and without DDH. We also encountered 34 cases of DDH who exhibited a normal examination of the hip and our model is particularly useful for this group.

Whilst we expected the variable ‘breech during last trimester/breech delivery’ to be part of the risk prediction model, it was not. Its odds ratio was 1.1 in an analysis adjusted for the mode of delivery, with a 95% confidence interval from 0.58 to 2.07 [13]. However, the reported association between breech delivery and DDH varies widely, with risk ratios for comparable age groups ranging from ≥8.0 [4, 14] to 1.1 [15, 16] to no association [17, 18]. Perhaps the sub-type ‘extended breech’ would have shown statistical significance but since we did not measured this detail this remains speculative. Whether a foot deformity is a risk factor for DDH remains controversial [2, 19] and our study was not designed to clarify this issue. The definition of foot deformities in newborns can be subjective, [14] with the potential for measurement bias. We thus regarded only foot deformities that required orthopaedics or physiotherapy followup (these were severe metatarsus adductus and clubfeet) for the analysis. In line with previous research, [19] having a foot deformity was not associated with DDH in our study.

The ascertainment of the variable ‘physical examination’ was of particular importance. Because we wanted to create a risk prediction tool for use by maternity ward doctors, we deliberately had neonatology residents examine the hips of study participants. Although orthopaedics surgeons or neonatologists may generally be better skilled in this task, they are typically not the ones who carry out this task in daily clinical care. In order to ensure robust collection of this information, we conducted double-examinations of all newborns whose hips were deemed to be abnormal by the residents. Further, throughout the study period, paediatric orthopaedics surgeons periodically trained all residents in the clinical examination of the newborn hip. Whilst it is not impossible that some abnormal physical examination findings still went unnoticed, our model performance reflects the average skills of those who are conducting the postnatal examinations, which strengthens its generalizability.

Strengths and limitations

We developed our prediction model with a high degree of precision. In assembling the cohort, we defined ‘at-risk’ with use of widely-accepted perinatal risk factors based on a metaanalysis [1], an international Delphi consensus study [8], and a population-based cohort study [4]. We defined DDH by means of diagnostic criteria based on the consensus of international experts [8]. We measured outcome and predictors with great rigor using double examinations, consensus readings, and blinding where possible. We enrolled consecutive newborns and observed high accrual.

We note the limitations of this study. First, the variables ‘torticollis’ and ‘oligohydramnios’ were not encountered frequently enough allow for statistical analysis. Larger studies are needed to clarify if these two variables improve the predictive performance of the model. Second, the mothers of 3.5% of eligible newborns declined participation. However, there is no evidence of sampling bias; enrolled newborns were largely similar in their risk factors as those enrolled (Table 1). Third, the outcome was not ascertained by the study team in 238 (11%) of enrolled cases. Of these, 24 had it ascertained elsewhere with 2 cases of DDH confirmed; and 76 never had an ultrasound scan done at all. It remains unknown what happened to further 144 enrolled cases. We explored the distribution of predictors in those with and without ultrasound outcomes and they were similar. We then did a sensitivity analysis of 2191 participants whereby we assumed all the unknown outcomes to be non-DDH; the results were similar to the analysis of 1953 participants who had the ultrasound done by the study team.

Conclusions

Our prediction model can be used to express the absolute predicted risk of DDH within 8 weeks postpartum for an individual at-risk newborn. The model is based on clinical variables available at the point of childbirth. For newborns with one or more risk factors for DDH, our model enables clinicians to refine the risks associated with each combination of risk factors. This information could enhance the counselling of caregivers. It could also be used to refine existing care pathways for at-risk newborns in terms of ‘levels of urgency’ for in the postnatal period. For example, those with risks > 80% could be booked directly and before discharge from maternity wards for a two-week orthopaedics surgeon consultation, and those with lower risks could be given ultrasound appointments at 6 weeks, etc. Naturally, such decision will need to be based on local resources and are beyond the scope of this study.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to data protection/potential risk to identify study participants but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

DDH:

Developmental dysplasia of the hip

References

  1. Ortiz-Neira CL, Paolucci EO, Donnon T. A meta-analysis of common risk factors associated with the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip in newborns. Eur J Radiol. 2012;81(3):e344–51.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Dunn PM. Perinatal observations on the etiology of congenital dislocation of the hip. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1976;119(1):11–22.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Wynne-Davies R. Genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of talipes equinovarus. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1972;84(1):9–13.

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Chan A, McCaul KA, Cundy PJ, Haan EA, Byron-Scott R. Perinatal risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1997;76(2):F94–100.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Patel H. Preventive health care, 2001 update: screening and management of developmental dysplasia of the hip in newborns. CMAJ. 2001;164(12):1669–77.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Woolacott NF, Puhan MA, Steurer J, Kleijnen J. Ultrasonography in screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in newborns: systematic review. BMJ. 2005;330(7505):1413.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Article  Google Scholar 

  7. UK National Screening Committee. Newborn and infant physical examination. Standards and competencies. 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Roposch A, Liu LQ, Hefti F, Clarke NM, Wedge JH. Standardized diagnostic criteria for developmental dysplasia of the hip in early infancy. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011;469(12):3451–61.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Graf R. New possibilities for the diagnosis of congenital hip joint dislocation by ultrasonography. J Pediatr Orthop. 1983;3(3):354–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Harrell FE Jr, Lee KL, Mark DB. Multivariable prognostic models: issues in developing models, evaluating assumptions and adequacy, and measuring and reducing errors. Stat Med. 1996;15(4):361–87.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Rubin DB. Multiple imputation for nonresponse in surveys. New York: Wiley; 1987.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  12. Peduzzi P, Concato J, Kemper E, Holford TR, Feinstein AR. A simulation study of the number of events per variable in logistic regression analysis. J Clin Epidemiol. 1996;49(12):1373–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Lowry CA, Donoghue VB, Murphy JF. Auditing hip ultrasound screening of infants at increased risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip. Arch Dis Child. 2005;90(6):579–81.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Paton RW, Hinduja K, Thomas CD. The significance of at-risk factors in ultrasound surveillance of developmental dysplasia of the hip. A ten-year prospective study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005;87(9):1264–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Falliner A, Hahne HJ, Hassenpflug J. Sonographic hip screening and early management of developmental dysplasia of the hip. J Pediatr Orthop B. 1999;8(2):112–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Rosendahl K, Markestad T, Lie RT. Ultrasound screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in the neonate: the effect on treatment rate and prevalence of late cases. Pediatrics. 1994;94(1):47–52.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Jones DA. Importance of the clicking hip in screening for congenital dislocation of the hip. Lancet. 1989;1(8638):599–601.

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Bache CE, Clegg J, Herron M. Risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip: ultrasonographic findings in the neonatal period. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2002;11(3):212–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Paton RW, Choudry Q. Neonatal foot deformities and their relationship to developmental dysplasia of the hip: an 11-year prospective, longitudinal observational study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2009;91(5):655–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Saboura Madhavi, Judy Davies, and Michelle Okuda who led the recruitment of patients. Drs. Judith Meek, Angela Huertas, Mark Selwood, and Giles Kendall provided valuable assistance in examining newborns and in recruiting patients.

Funding

This study was funded by grants from Arthritis Research UK; and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guildford St, London, WC1N 3EH, UK

    Andreas Roposch, Evangelia Protopapa & Deborah Ridout

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK

    Andreas Roposch

  3. Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK

    Olivia Malaga-Shaw

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St George’s Hospital, London, UK

    Yael Gelfer

  5. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University College Hospital, London, UK

    Paul Humphries

  6. Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    John H. Wedge

Authors

  1. Andreas Roposch

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Evangelia Protopapa

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Olivia Malaga-Shaw

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yael Gelfer

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Paul Humphries

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Deborah Ridout

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. John H. Wedge

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

AR conceptualized and designed the study, drafted the initial manuscript and approved the final manuscript as submitted. EP, OMS, YG and AR designed the data collection instruments; they conducted, coordinated or supervised data collection; they critically reviewed the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. EP also helped drafting the initial manuscript and assisted with the data analysis. PH, YG and AR also reviewed all images to ascertain outcome data. DR, EP and AR carried out the initial analyses, interpreted the data, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. DR led the statistical modelling. JHW contributed to the concept of the study, interpretation of the results and analysis plan, critically reviewed and revised the initial manuscript and approved the final manuscript as submitted. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andreas Roposch.

Ethics declarations

The local research ethics board approved this study (Great Ormond Street research ethics committee reference: 14/LO/0420). All research was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and ICH GCP. Written informed consent was collected from all parent/guardians of infants involved in this study.

All data used for publication is de-identified. Original consent form completed by caregivers sought for approval for consent for publication.

Competing interests

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Additional file 1.

Flowchart showing the development of the risk prediction model. We considered to include “breech presentation” in the model – despite it was not significant in univariate analysis – and tested the effect of breech in a model adjusted for mode of delivery. This effect was not significant (OR=1.10, p = 0.76) and we omitted breech from further analysis.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Roposch, A., Protopapa, E., Malaga-Shaw, O. et al. Predicting developmental dysplasia of the hip in at-risk newborns. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 21, 442 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03454-4

Download citation

  • Received: 15 April 2020

  • Accepted: 23 June 2020

  • Published: 07 July 2020

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03454-4

Keywords

  • Developmental dysplasia of the hip
  • Risk factors
  • New born
  • Prediction model

Which health care provider assessment technique does the nurse anticipate being used to determine developmental dysplasia of the hip DDH on a newborn?

Clinical screening is the gold standard for diagnosis with dynamic hip examinations carried out at birth and at subsequent pediatrician visits throughout childhood. The Ortolani test and Barlow maneuver should be done at each exam.

Which clinical finding suggests developmental dysplasia of the hip in an infant?

Early clinical manifestations of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) are identified during examination of the newborn. The classic examination finding is revealed with the Ortolani maneuver, in which a palpable "clunk" is present when the hip is directed in and out of the acetabulum and over the neolimbus.

Which diagnostic measure is most accurate in detecting neural tube defects?

Ultrasound examination is an effective modality for prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects (NTDs), which are the second most frequent category of congenital anomalies after congenital heart disease. Imaging has largely replaced measurement of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) for NTD screening.

Would be best to place an infant with a Meningomyelocele in which position prior to surgery?

Place and maintain patient in prone position. The family can hold the infant in the prone position, provided the sac is protected.