Do babies need to undergo hip joint screening during a 3-month physical examination?

A 3-month-old baby's physical examination usually requires hip joint screening. Hip dysplasia is a common problem in infants and young children, and early screening can help detect hip dislocation or developmental abnormalities. The main screening methods include clinical physical examination, ultrasound examination, etc.

1. Physical examination

The doctor will examine the range of motion of the hip joint by observing whether the length of the lower limbs is symmetrical, whether the skin lines on the thighs are consistent, and conducting abduction tests. If abnormal signs such as joint clicking and limited abduction are found, further imaging evaluation is required. Physical examination is non-invasive and convenient, and is a basic screening method.

2. Ultrasound examination

Hip joint ultrasound can clearly display the position relationship between the femoral head and the acetabulum, suitable for infants under 6 months old. By measuring the alpha and beta angles to evaluate the development of the hip socket, hip dislocation, subluxation, and dysplasia can be diagnosed. Ultrasound is radiation free, repeatable, and internationally recognized as the gold standard for early screening.

3. High risk factors

include breech delivery, family history, female infants, and oligohydramnios, which require targeted screening. These factors may affect the normal development of the hip joint, leading to insufficient coverage of the femoral head by the hip socket. Infants with high-risk factors are recommended to undergo ultrasound screening even if their physical examination is normal.

4. Exception handling

When hip joint instability is found, Pavlik sling may be used to maintain hip joint flexion and lateral extension. Severe dysplasia or dislocation require plaster fixation or surgical reduction. The earlier the intervention, the better the effect, with a treatment success rate of over 90% within 6 months.

5. Follow up monitoring

If the initial screening is normal, regular follow-up examinations are still needed, and some developmental abnormalities may gradually appear with growth. It is recommended to evaluate at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year old until the walking gait is stable. Daily attention should be paid to avoiding binding legs and choosing loose clothing to promote free movement of the hip joint. Parents should take their babies to complete child health check ups on time and cooperate with doctors for hip joint screening. Observe whether the baby's leg movements are symmetrical in daily life, and pay attention to whether the knee abduction is flexible when changing diapers. If asymmetrical leg lines and differences in kicking force are found on both sides, it is necessary to seek medical attention for re examination in a timely manner. breastfeeding mothers can supplement vitamin D appropriately to promote calcium absorption and provide nutritional support for their baby's bone development.