Ultrasound Evaluation of Neonatal Hip Joint Problems”

Abstract

Background: The assessment in neonates, such as developmental hip dislocation (DDH) and septic hip arthritis, is very important from a clinical standpoint. In this regard, ultrasound imaging has shown to be invaluable due to the fact that it allows for assessment without the use of ionising radiation. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of DDH and septic hip arthritis in neonates. Methods: Newborns at Benha University Hospital and other private facilities were analysed using a comparative cross-sectional research methodology. The study population was subjected to in-depth interviews, physical exams, and ultrasound assessments. The ultrasound evaluation looked at the shape of the hip, the location of the femoral head, and the strength of the hip joint. The degree of irregularity was determined by a combination of measurements and visual inspections, such as measuring alpha and beta angles. Patients who had favourable ultrasonography results were monitored and referred to specialists as needed. Conclusions Both the positive and negative predictive capacities of ultrasonography were quite high (80% and 100%, respectively). In addition, a high area under the curve (AUC=0.949) and associated 92% diagnostic accuracy rate were found when employing ROC curve analysis to differentiate DDH from normal findings using hip ultrasonography. Furthermore, a positive family history (p=0.007), oligohydramnios (p=0.003), and caesarean section (p=0.008) were all significantly associated with an increased risk of DDH incidence, as determined by the study's analysis into probable DDH causes based on the analysed data. We conclude that ultrasound is a useful and non-invasive method for assessing hip joint issues in neonates, especially DDH. The clinical examination of newborns with suspected hip abnormalities benefits greatly from its accuracy and its capacity to detect related risk factors.