[Hip ultrasound screening in Germany. Results and comparison with other screening procedures]

Abstract

General ultrasound screening programmes to determine DDH are still a matter of discussion due to a lack of evidence. To facilitate further discussions this review gives an overview of the international data and literature concerning the different screening policies taking into account the results of the German evaluation study from 1997 to 2002. General ultrasound screening programmes are established in Germany and Austria. The analysis of the German screening showed 535 cases of DDH with first operative procedure (age 10 weeks to 5 years) that were treated as inpatients: 66% underwent a closed reduction, 11% an open reduction and 23% an osteotomy of the acetabulum/femur. The number of children who had no ultrasound of the hip before diagnosis decreased from 22% in the first year to 8% in the last. The first ultrasound examination was without pathological findings in 12% of the cases. Capture-recapture estimates suggested that 52% of cases were reported, so that the incidence for first operation due to DDH was 0.26 per 1,000 live births in 1997. This is much lower than in other countries and 4/5 less than the time before screening with ultrasound in Germany. At most 42% of the cases might be preventable by an improvement of the screening programme, but at least 51% would not be prevented. The German ultrasound screening programme has proved to be effective. Improvement of economic efficiency is still possible. Therefore, the German programme with different screening times can be recommended.