[Hip ultrasound screening within the scope of U3--initial experiences]

After introduction of hip sonographic screening in Germany in the year 1996 we are interested in its organisational features and the results on a national level. It has to be scrutinized in how far the medical consequences are oriented and in accordance with the national guideline of hip sonographic screening.

Our study includes all 191.000 documentation sheets of hip sonographic screening in the year of 1996 in Germany.

In the year 1996 pediatricians were responsible of 70% of all hip sonographic screening which were performed on the 36. day (median). About 80% of the examined infants showed alpha-angles > 56 Grad, about 1.7% only reached < 51 Grad. 27% of all cases were recommended a second sonographic examination and 7.7% should get a therapy. For 73% of all examined infants the consequences were compatible with the national guidelines for hip sonography screening. Orthopaedists more often showed deviations than other professional groups.

There is the case for a more binding consensus regarding the adequate consequences in the cases of sonographic alpha-ankles between 51 to 56 degrees. In the light of an unexpected high proportion of infants with therapy recommendations there is to establish an informational feedback which covers results from the monitoring of the hip sonographic screening as well as results from the national outcome study.