title: Longitudinal study of normal hip development by ultrasound.
abstract: In the management of a newborn's hips, ultrasonography has proven to be useful. The progression of measurements at different ages in normal hips has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the longitudinal development of clinically stable hips. Forty newborns (80 hips) were assessed by ultrasonography at birth and at 6 and 12 weeks of age. Femoral head coverage (FHC), alpha angles, and beta angles were measured. The results showed a significant change in values between the three points in time for all measurements (P < 0.001). The mean FHC progressed from 58.4% to 65.6% to 69.3%, the mean alpha angle from 70.2 degrees to 76.8 degrees to 80.3 degrees , and the mean beta angle from 52.1 degrees to 45.7 degrees to 42.9 degrees . In clinically stable hips, the FHC and alpha and beta angles change significantly over time; therefore, it is important to consider the child's age when interpreting ultrasound images.
authors.affiliation: Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia. famriad@tiscali.se
authors.forename: Jacques P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Riad
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cundy
authors.forename: Roger J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gent
authors.forename: Lino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piotto
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hirte
mesh_terms: D005270:Femur Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography