[Diagnostic ultrasonography of the hip in neonates and infants]

The paper describes the technique of ultrasound used in the early diagnosis of hip dysplasia. The anatomy and ultrasonic semeiotics of the coxo-femoral joint in neonates and infants is illustrated; the indications and advantages of the method are evaluated in comparison to X-ray and semeiological manoeuvres alone. One hundred and forty children were included in a study during which an ultrasonic examination of hip was performed between the ages of 15 days and 8 months. The hips examined were classified according to Graf's method. On the basis of the Authors experience the paper concludes that ultrasound examination of the hip represents the preferred method for the early diagnosis of congenital dysplasia of the hip in neonates.