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Impact of Pavlik Harness treatment on motor skills acquisition: A case-control study
Ana Rita Jesus1, Catarina Pinto Silva1, Inês Romão Luz1
1Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Pediatric Hospital, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Insights
Pavlik Harness treatment for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) in children showed no significant impact on motor skills development compared to healthy controls. Early motor milestones were achieved with minimal, non-significant delays in DDH cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Development Research
Background:
- Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a common orthopedic condition in infants.
- Early intervention is crucial for optimal outcomes in DDH.
- The Pavlik Harness is a standard treatment for DDH, but its long-term effects on motor development require further analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of Pavlik Harness treatment on gross motor skills development in children diagnosed with DDH.
- To compare the motor milestone achievement timelines between children with DDH treated with the Pavlik Harness and a control group of healthy children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study included 121 children: 55 with DDH (cases) and 66 healthy controls.
- Data collected from 2017 to 2022, focusing on the achievement of sitting, crawling, and independent walking milestones.
- Statistical analysis compared milestone attainment times between the DDH and control groups.
Main Results:
- Children with DDH exhibited a slight delay (1 month) in achieving sitting, crawling, and walking milestones compared to controls.
- These differences in motor milestone achievement were not statistically significant (p > 0.05 for all milestones).
- Groups were comparable in sex, gestational age, birth weight, and twin pregnancy rates, but DDH cases had higher rates of positive family history, breech presentation, and C-section delivery.
Conclusions:
- Pavlik Harness treatment for DDH does not lead to significant delays in the acquisition of gross motor skills.
- Children with DDH, when treated appropriately, can achieve motor milestones within normal developmental ranges.
- This study supports the efficacy of the Pavlik Harness in managing DDH without compromising motor development.
Purpose:
Our purpose was to analyze the impact of Pavlik Harness treatment on children motor skills development, comparing to a control group.
Methods:
A total of 121 children were included: 55 cases (children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip) and 66 healthy controls. Cases were recruited from 2017 to 2021 and followed up to 2022. Controls (healthy children without orthopedic pathology) were recruited from 2020 to 2022. The primary endpoint was the time of achievement of three gross motor milestones (sitting without support, hands-and-knees crawling, and walking independently).
Results:
The groups had no differences regarding sex distribution, gestational age, birth weight, and rate of twin pregnancy. The prevalence of positive family history of Development Dysplasia of the Hip (20.0% vs 3.0%, p < 0.003), breech presentation (38.2% vs 1.5%, p < 0.001), and C-section delivery (60.0% vs 19.7%, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in Development Dysplasia of the Hip group. Children with Development Dysplasia of the Hip achieved the three gross milestones evaluated 1 month later than healthy controls, although this was not statistically significant (p = 0.133 for sitting, p = 0.670 for crawling, and p = 0.499 for walking).
Conclusion:
Children with Development Dysplasia of the Hip, treated by Pavlik harness, do not have significant delays in motor skills acquisition.
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