Normative Radiographic Parameters and Growth Curve of Hips Less Than Six Weeks of Gestational Age Using Ultrasound

This is a prospective population cohort study of newborns that are born at Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC). Legally authorized representatives (LAR) of the newborn will be approached by research staff after the birth of their baby, informed about the study and then asked if they would like to participate. Due to the high volume of births at CRMC, LARs will be approached approximately once a week for a convenience sample.

If a LAR is interested in participating, they will be consented to be in the study.

After a LAR consents for participation the newborn will receive an ultrasound of their hips while in the hospital (done by a trained sonographer). This will happen in the patient's room with the LAR present. An ultrasound of the hip takes approximately 15 minutes and is non-invasive, non-painful and does not utilize any ionizing radiation.

Study Follow-Up LARs and newborns will be scheduled to return once a week until the newborn's hips reach criteria for normal hip morphology or the newborn reaches 6 weeks of corrected age. Normal infant hip ultrasound maturity is defined as an alpha angle of > 60 degrees (this is the angle between the roof of the acetabulum and the lateral iliac wing and indicates morphology of the acetabulum) and a percent coverage of the femoral head in the acetabulum of > 50%. A Board Certified Pediatric Radiologist, a Board Certified Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon and an Orthopaedic Resident will interpret each study. If there is less than 5 degree or 5 percent difference between the interpretations the mean will be used as the reading. If there is a greater difference, the case will be reviewed for consensus. Corrected age is defined as actual age in weeks minus weeks premature. For example, a newborn born at 32 weeks gestational age (8 weeks premature) would be followed for 14 weeks total (14 weeks actual age-8 weeks premature=6 weeks adjusted age).

If a newborns hips reach the criteria for newborn hips before they reach 6 weeks adjusted age, they will discharged from the study as they have reached the standard for infant hip maturity (this could happen at their initial scan or any time after). LAR and newborns will return to CRMC Radiology Department to get the follow up ultrasounds therefore there will be an incentive of $15 a follow up visit. Incentive will not be provided for studies performed while a hospital inpatient. If a patient shows persistent radiographic signs of dysplasia at any point while they are in the study, they will exit the study protocol and receive standard treatment for hip dysplasia as medically indicated.