[Sonographic screening for hip dysplasia in newborn infants]

The hips of 335 unselected newborn children have been examined sonographically to evaluate the general use of ultrasound in screening programs for early recognition of hip dysplasia. Ultrasound findings indicating the need for treatment in 4% of the children were surprisingly high compared to earlier data on the frequency of hip dysplasia from purely clinical studies. However, this is to be seen in relation to the still significantly late diagnoses of dysplasias or even luxations in later childhood, adolescence and adults. Because of the importance of early recognition of hip dysplasia for treatment and outcome, it can be concluded even from the limited data available that ultrasound examination of the hips should be included in health surveillance programs of newborns.