[Hip screening of newborn infants. Type classification, therapy and follow-up]

Between December 1982 and the end of January 1987, a total of 21,082 hip sonographies were performed at the authors' clinic to establish whether or not screening of newborns, including sonographic follow-up, was desirable. The incidence of sonographically detected neonatal dysplasia up to the eight week of life was 2.23%; the incidence of dislocation was 0.01%. Hip types IB and IIA have a tendency to deteriorate in the eighth and twelfth weeks. During the first few weeks of life more than one-half of all HD cases manifest no symptoms, either clinical or historical. A complete cure was achieved after an average of five months when suitable therapy was instituted post partum, and after eight months when it was instituted later.