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DDH: What Every Parent Should Know
30 Mar
Summary
- Developmental Dysplasia of Hip affects hip joint formation, causing loose or unstable fits.
- It impacts 0.5% to 1.5% of babies globally, with higher risk for girls and breech births.
- Early treatment with braces or casts leads to normal development; late diagnosis causes pain.
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a condition characterized by improper formation of the hip joint, where the thigh bone's ball may not fit securely into the socket. This can range from a loose, unstable fit to a complete dislocation. The condition is relatively common, affecting approximately 0.5% to 1.5% of infants worldwide.
Early detection is paramount, as DDH may not be apparent at birth. Risk factors include being female, being a first-born child, breech birth presentation, and a family history of DDH. In India, a significant challenge is late diagnosis, often occurring between one to two years of age, hindering optimal treatment outcomes.
DDH is highly treatable, especially when identified early. For infants up to six months, a soft brace can guide proper hip development. Between six months and two years, repositioning the hip through a closed reduction, followed by casting, is common. Older children may require surgery. Prompt treatment ensures children can typically crawl, walk, and run normally without pain.
Conversely, untreated or late-diagnosed DDH can lead to long-term issues such as persistent limping, chronic hip pain, reduced mobility, and premature arthritis, potentially requiring hip replacement surgery later in life.
