The incidence of neonatal developmental dysplasia of the hip in Arar, Saudi Arabia

Aim: In this study, it was aimedto investigate the incidence and risk factors of neonatal hip joint Developmental Dysplasia in Arar City. Material and Method: Hospital records of all newborns in both Arar Central Hospital and Prince Abdulaziz bin Musaad Hospital in Arar city from January 2013 to the end of December 2013 were reviewed with their follow-up files till December 2015. Records include a detailed history, careful physical examination, results of the laboratory and radiological investigations. Results: The records of 2582 newborns were reviewed. The incidence of DDH was estimated to be 6.19/1000 live births. Ten cases (62.5 %) were females with estimated male to female ratio equal to 1:2.6. Spontaneous vaginal delivery occurred in 11 cases (68.75%), a caesarean section in 5 cases (31.25%). Limping and waddling gait was the most common finding in 10 cases (62.5%). DDH was significantly associated with primiparity, low birth weight, prematurity and positive family history of DDH (p-values=0.0009, 0.014, 0.038, and 0.0006 respectively). Discussion: Screening of DDH in Arar City of Northern Border province of Saudi Arabia was estimated to be 6.19/ 1000 live births. Awareness programs, routine examination of the neonatal hip joint with the hip ultrasound and pelvis plain x-ray in babies with risk factors for DDH are strongly recommended.