Association of hip dysplasia in newborns with ethnicity using graf method ultrasound

To determine gender and ethnic distribution of developmental dysplasia of hip in newborns using Graf method for ultrasound. To determine the significance of association between developmental dysplasia of hip with ethnicity in newborns using Graf's method ultrasound.

This analytical cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Karachi from January through June 2022 .A total of 115 healthy newborns (both male and female) aged under 28 days were included in the study after parental informed consent. Hip dislocation was assessed clinically using Barlow and Ortolani maneuvers. The gender, ethnicity and hip angles were recorded in the proforma. Graf's method ultrasound was used to measure the hip angles. Acetabular roof, head of femur, triradiate cartilage and acetabular labrum were used as landmarks for angle measurements. The hip joint was classified based on Graf method criteria.

The incidence of hip dysplasia was higher in male (16.08%) as compared to female infants (14.78%). The difference between gender distributions was not significant. The predominant ethnicities with pathological hip were Sindhi (9.13%), Punjabi (7.39%) and Pathan (6.08%). The association between ethnicity and pathological hips was statistically significant (p=0.021).

There is no significant difference in incidence of DDH with gender. However, there is a significant association between ethnicity and incidence of developmental dysplasia of hip in neonates of 28 days age. Incidence of DDH is high in the Sindhi, Punjabi and Pathan populations.