Sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants is crucial. This study aimed to estimate the sensitivity of clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in a tertiary care setting. We compared clinical findings with ultrasound results to determine diagnostic accurac...

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Main Authors: Enrica Pittaluga, Alexis Arnoux, Sophie Merckaert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW) 2025-08-01
Series:Swiss Medical Weekly
Online Access:https://smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/4077
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author Enrica Pittaluga
Alexis Arnoux
Sophie Merckaert
author_facet Enrica Pittaluga
Alexis Arnoux
Sophie Merckaert
author_sort Enrica Pittaluga
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND: Detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants is crucial. This study aimed to estimate the sensitivity of clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in a tertiary care setting. We compared clinical findings with ultrasound results to determine diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated newborns aged 0–4 months treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip from May 2017 to June 2023 at a tertiary care centre in Switzerland. All patients underwent clinical examinations and a hip ultrasound scan (Graf method). The sensitivity of clinical findings was calculated, along with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and stratified by developmental dysplasia of the hip severity. RESULTS: Among 122 newborns, clinical screening demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 66% (95% CI: 58–74%). Sensitivity was higher for unstable hips (91%, 95% CI: 82–99%) than for stable hips (50%, 95% CI: 38–62%). Differences in diagnostic timing were observed between groups. CONCLUSION: Clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip showed limited sensitivity, particularly for stable cases. Universal ultrasound screening could improve early detection rates.
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spelling doaj-art-adae2f61ef564627b30e0fa98a32a0bd2025-08-20T02:56:34ZengSMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)Swiss Medical Weekly1424-39972025-08-01155810.57187/s.4077Sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective studyEnrica Pittaluga0Alexis ArnouxSophie MerckaertUniversité de Lausanne BACKGROUND: Detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants is crucial. This study aimed to estimate the sensitivity of clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in a tertiary care setting. We compared clinical findings with ultrasound results to determine diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated newborns aged 0–4 months treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip from May 2017 to June 2023 at a tertiary care centre in Switzerland. All patients underwent clinical examinations and a hip ultrasound scan (Graf method). The sensitivity of clinical findings was calculated, along with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and stratified by developmental dysplasia of the hip severity. RESULTS: Among 122 newborns, clinical screening demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 66% (95% CI: 58–74%). Sensitivity was higher for unstable hips (91%, 95% CI: 82–99%) than for stable hips (50%, 95% CI: 38–62%). Differences in diagnostic timing were observed between groups. CONCLUSION: Clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip showed limited sensitivity, particularly for stable cases. Universal ultrasound screening could improve early detection rates. https://smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/4077
spellingShingle Enrica Pittaluga
Alexis Arnoux
Sophie Merckaert
Sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective study
Swiss Medical Weekly
title Sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective study
title_full Sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective study
title_fullStr Sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective study
title_short Sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective study
title_sort sensitivity of clinical screening for detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip a retrospective study
url https://smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/4077
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AT sophiemerckaert sensitivityofclinicalscreeningfordetectingdevelopmentaldysplasiaofthehiparetrospectivestudy