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Tribune News Network
Doha
Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has seen more than 350 children at its multidisciplinary-based Infant Hip Clinic. The clinic diagnoses and treats children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
DDH is the most common condition in newborn infants, affecting one in ten firstborn children. It is known to develop before or after birth. The condition includes a spectrum of hip disorders from dysplasia to dislocation.
Dr Abdelsalam Hegazy, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who launched the Infant Hip Clinic at Sidra Medicine, said: “Early signs of DDH can be discovered during the initial newborn health check. There are opportunities to do this during follow-up examinations every time the infant comes in for vaccinations. While studies indicate a genetic link, current literature supports that eight in ten cases of DDH affects females and it is also approximately 12 times more likely to occur if there is a family history of the condition.”
“DDH is known as a silent condition as it does not cause pain or prevent children from walking. This means that unless it becomes part of a routine newborn examination, the condition can go undetected in the early months of life. It is during this critical period, that the most effective and non-invasive treatment can be started to rectify the hip condition. The sooner DDH is identified, the more likely treatment will be successful. If treatment is delayed, future management of the hip condition becomes more complex,” Dr Hegazy added.
The Infant Hip Clinic, launched in February 2019, accepts internal and external referrals from primary healthcare providers and private clinics. Referrals are made for babies who have clicky hip(s), born in the breech position (born above 34 weeks’ gestation) and have a positive family history of DDH. Referrals are also accepted for positive examination findings such as limited range of motion of the hip(s), leg length discrepancy and multiple births (e.g. twins, triplets).
The clinic is run by a multidisciplinary team consisting of an orthopaedic surgeon, radiographers, nurses and physiotherapists – who provide a key step by step assessment and treatment process all within one clinical setting.
Treatment for DDH varies according to the age of the child. A Pavlik harness is used for babies under six months of age. For children aged 6-12 months, a hip brace for three months or cast application under general anaesthesia for 3-6 months is usually required. Children of 12-18 months require surgical intervention and then cast application for 6-12 weeks to ensure that the hip joint remains in the correct position.
Baby Tia was a patient of Sidra Medicine’s Infant Hip Clinic in 2019. Her parents said, “We are thankful for the care and attention Tia was given by the team at Sidra Medicine. Having both the assessment and treatment service under one room made it easier for us as a family to ensure that she received the best treatment possible. She is doing well and we are glad that we sought early intervention and treatment at Sidra Medicine.”
Dr Talal Ibrahim, acting division chief of Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, said: “The Infant Hip Clinic can help address a very critical component of the assessment and treatment of DDH – that is saving families the time in going back and forth for separate appointments and scheduling a treatment plan. This is part of our multidisciplinary approach to family and patient centered care. Early intervention is critical and we advise pediatricians to conduct assessments during initial baby screening. If treatment is delayed, then further management becomes more complicated and associated with complex surgery.”
Doha
Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has seen more than 350 children at its multidisciplinary-based Infant Hip Clinic. The clinic diagnoses and treats children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
DDH is the most common condition in newborn infants, affecting one in ten firstborn children. It is known to develop before or after birth. The condition includes a spectrum of hip disorders from dysplasia to dislocation.
Dr Abdelsalam Hegazy, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who launched the Infant Hip Clinic at Sidra Medicine, said: “Early signs of DDH can be discovered during the initial newborn health check. There are opportunities to do this during follow-up examinations every time the infant comes in for vaccinations. While studies indicate a genetic link, current literature supports that eight in ten cases of DDH affects females and it is also approximately 12 times more likely to occur if there is a family history of the condition.”
“DDH is known as a silent condition as it does not cause pain or prevent children from walking. This means that unless it becomes part of a routine newborn examination, the condition can go undetected in the early months of life. It is during this critical period, that the most effective and non-invasive treatment can be started to rectify the hip condition. The sooner DDH is identified, the more likely treatment will be successful. If treatment is delayed, future management of the hip condition becomes more complex,” Dr Hegazy added.
The Infant Hip Clinic, launched in February 2019, accepts internal and external referrals from primary healthcare providers and private clinics. Referrals are made for babies who have clicky hip(s), born in the breech position (born above 34 weeks’ gestation) and have a positive family history of DDH. Referrals are also accepted for positive examination findings such as limited range of motion of the hip(s), leg length discrepancy and multiple births (e.g. twins, triplets).
The clinic is run by a multidisciplinary team consisting of an orthopaedic surgeon, radiographers, nurses and physiotherapists – who provide a key step by step assessment and treatment process all within one clinical setting.
Treatment for DDH varies according to the age of the child. A Pavlik harness is used for babies under six months of age. For children aged 6-12 months, a hip brace for three months or cast application under general anaesthesia for 3-6 months is usually required. Children of 12-18 months require surgical intervention and then cast application for 6-12 weeks to ensure that the hip joint remains in the correct position.
Baby Tia was a patient of Sidra Medicine’s Infant Hip Clinic in 2019. Her parents said, “We are thankful for the care and attention Tia was given by the team at Sidra Medicine. Having both the assessment and treatment service under one room made it easier for us as a family to ensure that she received the best treatment possible. She is doing well and we are glad that we sought early intervention and treatment at Sidra Medicine.”
Dr Talal Ibrahim, acting division chief of Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, said: “The Infant Hip Clinic can help address a very critical component of the assessment and treatment of DDH – that is saving families the time in going back and forth for separate appointments and scheduling a treatment plan. This is part of our multidisciplinary approach to family and patient centered care. Early intervention is critical and we advise pediatricians to conduct assessments during initial baby screening. If treatment is delayed, then further management becomes more complicated and associated with complex surgery.”
