Ultrasound screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in the newborn: a population-based study in the Maribor region, 1997-2005.

Aim: Ultrasound imaging has become an accepted tool for accurate diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and for its management. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the results of the general neonatal hip screening program in Maribor between 1997 and 2005 in comparison with earlier reported results for our region, where this program was introduced in 1985.

Patients And Methods: Of the total number of 17,846 newborns born in our maternity hospital, 17,393 were included in the study during the nine-year period.