Present status of screening and prevention of developmental dysplasia of the hip in the Slovak Republic.

The authors analysed the status of screening and prevention of developmental dysplasia of the hip in the Slovak Republic on the basis of the European Pediatric Orthopaedic Society questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to 31 heads of orthopaedic departments, with 23 (74%) responses. According to the responses received, in the Slovak Republic a neonatologist or orthopaedic surgeon, depending on availability, makes the first clinical examination of the hips up to the fifth day after delivery. Every instability, relative shortening of one of the lower limbs, or 'high-risk' baby is referred immediately to the orthopaedic surgeon. Sonographic examination up to 7 days after delivery is performed in six departments. In another 11 departments, two or more sonographic examinations are performed on each baby. Authors support the simple static ultrasound as an effective screening test for developmental dysplasia of the hip, that should be applied to the whole population and not simply to the at risk group.