6 compared with 12 weeks treatment in the von Rosen splint is sufficient for Barlow and Ortolani positive hips: a comparative study of 237 neonates.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: At our institution, newborns with Barlow or Ortolani positive hips have been treated for 12 weeks with the von Rosen abduction splint until 2012 when the treatment length was halved. We investigate whether acetabular development at 12 months of age and complications differ between hips treated with the von Rosen splint for 6 compared with 12 weeks. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 99 patients were included in the 6-week program and 138 patients in the 12-week program. We measured the acetabular index (AI) on standard anteroposterior pelvic radiographs taken at 12 months of age. Medical records were reviewed for complications and additional treatments until age 12 months. We used non-inferiority testing with an equivalence margin of 1° with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to compare the 2 groups. RESULTS: The mean AI at 12 months in the 6-week group was 25° (CI 24-26) compared with 25° (CI 25-26) in the 12-week group. Non-inferiority was demonstrated for the 6-week program: -0.2° (CI -1.1 to 0.7). In the 6-week group, 8 patients received additional treatment, including 1 hip dislocation that occurred between 6 weeks and 3 months. There were no additional treatments or complications in the 12-week group. CONCLUSION: AI was equal at 12 months of age for patients treated for 6 compared with 12 weeks in the von Rosen splint. The hip dislocation which occurred indicates that follow-up around 3 months of age is indicated.

The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) classification is more informative than the Tönnis classification.

BACKGROUND: A new, supposedly more reproducible radiographic classification, set to replace the Tönnis classification of hip dislocations, was proposed in 2015: the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) classification. PURPOSE: To compare the IHDI classification with the Tönnis classification when evaluating the severity of hip dislocations as well as their respective inter- and intra-observer reliability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since January 2000, Swedish-born children with a hip dislocation were prospectively registered. From this registry, radiographs of 97 hips in 79 patients (91% girls; median age = 7 months), born in 2000-2009, were analyzed. Two observers, one consultant and one resident, classified each hip both by IHDI and Tönnis twice. RESULTS: The IHDI classification had a more even distribution of grades with the majority in grade 2-3. The Tönnis classification graded the majority (77%) of the patients as grade 2 and equally among the other grades. There was moderate inter-observer agreement using both methods calculated with Kappa, 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44-0.79) for Tönnis and 0.62 (95% CI = 0.49-0.74) for IHDI. The resident calculated Tönnis with weak intra-observer reliability of 0.57 (95% CI = 0.40-0.74) compared to high intra-observer reliability of 0.86 (95% CI = 0.74-0.98) for the consultant. Both observers graded IHDI with high intra-observer reliability. CONCLUSION: IHDI is more discriminative than the Tönnis classification when evaluating the severity of a hip dislocation in infants.

Estimated effect of secondary screening for hip dislocation.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effect of secondary screening for hip dislocations. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of hospital files from participants in a prospectively collected nationwide registry. SETTING: Child healthcare centres and orthopaedic departments in Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Of 126 children with hip dislocation diagnosed later than 14 days age in the 2000-2009 birth cohort, 101 had complete data and were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: The entire birth cohort was subject to clinical screening for hip instability at 6-8 weeks, 6 months and 10-12 months age. Children diagnosed through this screening were compared with children presenting due to symptoms, which was used as a surrogate variable representing a situation without secondary screening. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age at diagnosis and disease severity of late presenting hip dislocations. RESULTS: Children diagnosed through secondary screening were 11 months younger (median: 47 weeks) compared with those presenting with symptoms (p<0.001). Children diagnosed through secondary screening had 11% risk of having a high (severe) dislocation, compared with 38% for those diagnosed due to symptoms; absolute risk reduction 27% (95% CI: 9.7% to 45%), relative risk 0.28 (95% CI: 0.11 to 0.70). Children presenting due to symptoms had OR 5.1 (95% CI: 1.7 to 15) of having a high dislocation, and OR 11 (95% CI: 4.1 to 31) of presenting at age 1 year or older, compared with the secondary screening group. The secondary screening was able to identify half of the children (55%, 95% CI: 45% to 66%) not diagnosed through primary screening. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary screening at child healthcare centres may have substantially lowered the age at diagnosis in half of all children with late presenting hip dislocation not diagnosed through primary screening, with the risk of having a high dislocation decreased almost to one-quarter in such cases.

Incidence of Late-Diagnosed Hip Dislocation After Universal Clinical Screening in Sweden.

Importance: Developmental dysplasia of the hip, including late-diagnosed hip dislocation, is the leading cause of hip arthroplasties in young adults. Early treatment is essential for a good prognosis. Before the institution of a national screening program, a minimum of 0.9 per 1000 Swedish children were affected. Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of late-diagnosed hip dislocation among children who undergo clinical screening as neonates and to study antenatal and perinatal risk factors for late-diagnosed hip dislocation. Design, Setting, and Participants: This nested case-control study included children born in Sweden from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2009. All maternity wards, maternal health units, and orthopedic departments in Sweden participated. Children with a late-diagnosed hip dislocation were matched by sex and birth year to randomly selected controls in a 1:10 ratio. Potential risk factors in pregnant women and newborns were recorded, and cases of hip dislocation were registered. Observation time ranged from 8 to 18 years, with the last data analysis in January 2019. Exposures: Clinical hip examinations neonatally and at 6 to 8 weeks, 6 months, and 10 to 12 months. Main Outcomes and Measures: Hip dislocation diagnosed more than 14 days after birth, age at diagnosis, and severity of dislocation. Results: Among 1 013 589 live births (521 728 [51.5%] boys), 126 children (0.12 [95% CI, 0.10-0.15] per 1000 live births) had a late-diagnosed hip dislocation at a median age of 31.4 weeks (interquartile range, 16.1-67.1 weeks; 95% CI, 27.4-44.1 weeks). The incidence of late-diagnosed hip dislocation was 9 times higher among girls (113 of 491 861; 0.23 [95% CI, 0.19-0.28] per 1000 live births) than among boys (13 of 521 728; 0.02 [95% CI, 0.01-0.04] per 1000 live births). Twenty-one children (0.02 per 1000 live births) had high (severe) dislocations. Breech delivery (adjusted odds ratio, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.34-7.02), short body length at birth (adjusted odds ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.98, per additional 1 cm), and being large for gestational age (adjusted odds ratio, 3.59; 95% CI, 1.30-9.95) were independent risk factors. Maternal smoking at the first visit to the maternal health care center was less common among children with hip dislocation (adjusted odds ratio, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.70). Conclusions and Relevance: Compared with historical data, the incidence of late-diagnosed hip dislocation in Swedish-born children appears to have decreased substantially since the screening program was initiated, as have the age at detection and disease severity. Similar screening programs should also be possible to institute in upper-middle- and lower-middle-income countries.

Early treatment with the von Rosen splint for neonatal instability of the hip is safe regarding avascular necrosis of the femoral head: 229 consecutive children observed for 6.5 years.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) is a complication in treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). We evaluated the risk of AVN after early treatment in the von Rosen splint and measured the diameter of the ossific nucleus at 1 year of age. CHILDREN AND METHODS: All children born in Malmö, Sweden, undergo clinical screening for neonatal instability of the hip (NIH). We reviewed 1-year radiographs of all children treated early for NIH in our department from 2003 through 2010. The diameter of the ossific nucleus was measured, and signs of AVN were classified according to Kalamchi-MacEwen. Subsequent radiographs, taken for any reason, were reviewed and a local registry of diagnoses was used to identify subsequent AVN. RESULTS: 229 of 586 children referred because of suspected NIH received early treatment (age ≤ 1 week) for NIH during the study period. 2 of the 229 treated children (0.9%, 95% CI: 0.1-3.1) had grade-1 AVN. Both had spontaneous resolution and were asymptomatic during the observation time (6 and 8 years). 466 children met the inclusion criteria for measurement of the ossific nucleus. Neonatally dislocated hips had significantly smaller ossific nuclei than neonatally stable hips: mean 9.4 mm (95% CI: 9.1-9.8) vs. 11.1 mm (95% CI: 10.9-11.3) at 1 year (p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: Early treatment with the von Rosen splint for NIH is safe regarding AVN. The ossification of the femoral head is slower in children with NIH than in untreated children with neonatally stable hips.

Acetabular dysplasia at the age of 1 year in children with neonatal instability of the hip.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: As much as one-third of all total hip arthroplasties in patients younger than 60 years may be a consequence of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Screening and early treatment of neonatal instability of the hip (NIH) reduces the incidence of DDH. We examined the radiographic outcome at 1 year in children undergoing early treatment for NIH. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All children born in Malmö undergo neonatal screening for NIH, and any child with suspicion of instability is referred to our clinic. We reviewed the 1-year radiographs for infants who were referred from April 2002 through December 2007. Measurements of the acetabular index at 1 year were compared between neonatally dislocated, unstable, and stable hips. RESULTS: The incidence of NIH was 7 per 1,000 live births. The referral rate was 15 per 1,000. 82% of those treated were girls. The mean acetabular index was higher in dislocated hips (25.3, 95% CI: 24.6-26.0) than in neonatally stable hips (22.7, 95% CI: 22.3-23.2). Girls had a higher mean acetabular index than boys and left hips had a higher mean acetabular index than right hips, which is in accordance with previous findings. INTERPRETATION: Even in children who are diagnosed and treated perinatally, radiographic differences in acetabular shape remain at 1 year. To determine whether this is of clinical importance, longer follow-up will be required.

Fractures in children with cerebral palsy: a total population study.

AIM: To analyse factors associated with fractures in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in different levels of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). METHOD: This was an epidemiological retrospective study of a total population of 536 children (214 females, 322 males) with CP born between 1990 and 2005. CP type was unilateral spastic (n=159), bilateral spastic (n=225), ataxic (n=60), dyskinetic (n=80), and mixed type (n=12); 384 children were in Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) levels I-III and 152 children were in GMFCS levels IV-V. Data were collected for a 9-year period on sex, CP-type, GMFCS level, gastrostomy, height, weight, the use of a standing device, antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy, and fractures. RESULTS: The risk of fracture in the total population of children with CP was similar to that for typically developing children. The risk for fractures of those in GMFCS levels I-III was not significantly associated with any of the studied risk factors. The risk of fractures for those in GMFCS levels IV-V on AED therapy was a twofold increase (p=0.004). The risk for fractures without trauma in children with stunted growth (height for age <-3 SD) and those who did not use standing devices was significantly increased: adjusted incidence rate ratio (AIRR) 4.16 (p=0.011) and 3.66 (p=0.010) respectively. Results regarding gastrostomy feeding for those in GMFCS levels IV-V were conflicting: a gastrostomy was associated with a reduced risk of fractures with trauma, but with increased risk of fractures without trauma (AIRR 0.10, p=0.003 and 4.36, p=0.012) respectively. INTERPRETATION: Children in GMFCS levels I-III had a similar incidence and pattern for fractures as normally developing children. Those in GMFCS levels IV-V had stunted growth, often a sign of longstanding undernourishment, and were associated with an increased risk of fractures. Children using standing devices had a fourfold reduction of fractures without trauma. Regular loading exercises and early adequate nutritional intake could prevent fractures in severe CP.

Normative dual energy X-ray absorptiometry data in Swedish children and adolescents.

AIM: To present normative dual energy X-ray absorptiometry data in healthy young Swedes. METHODS: Included were 710 girls and 759 boys aged 6-30 years from southern Sweden. Bone mineral content, bone mineral density, bone size, lean body and fat mass were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in total body, lumbar spine, hip, arms and legs. RESULTS: Swedish children had similar bone mass to children in the Netherlands but higher than children in Canada and Korea. Height, weight, bone mass, bone size and lean mass increased at a constant rate from age 6 until the rapid increase in all traits at puberty. The pubertal growth spurt started earlier in girls than in boys, while the spurt in boys was larger in magnitude and occurred for a longer period. Around one-quarter of the adult total body and lumbar spine peak bone mineral content was gained during the 2 years with the fastest gain in both genders. CONCLUSION: This study presents normative bone mass data in Swedish children, data that are similar to that in Dutch children but higher than in Canadian and Korean children. The gain in Swedish children seems to mimic the gain seen in children in other settings.

Compression of the lower trunk of the brachial plexus by a cervical rib in two adolescent girls: case reports and surgical treatment.

Presence of a cervical rib in children is extremely rare, particularly when symptoms of compression of the lower trunk of the brachial plexus occur. We present two cases with such a condition, where two young girls, 11 and 16 years of age were treated by resection of the cervical rib after a supraclavicular exploration of the lower trunk of the brachial plexus. The procedure led to successful results, objectively verified with tests in a work simulator, at one year follow-up.

Incidence of early posterior shoulder dislocation in brachial plexus birth palsy.

BACKGROUND: Posterior dislocation of the shoulder in brachial plexus birth palsy during the first year of life is rare but the incidence increases with age. The aim was to calculate the incidence of these lesions in children below one year of age. METHODS: The incidence of brachial plexus birth lesion and occurrence of posterior shoulder dislocation was calculated based on a prospective follow up of all brachial plexus patients at an age below one in Malmö municipality, Sweden, 2000-2005. RESULTS: The incidence of brachial plexus birth palsy was 3.8/1000 living infants and year with a corresponding incidence of posterior shoulder dislocation (history, clinical examination and x-ray) during the first year of 0.28/1000 living infants and year, i.e. 7.3% of all brachial plexus birth palsies. CONCLUSION: All children with a brachial plexus birth lesion (incidence 3.8 per thousand) should be screened, above the assessment of neurological recovery, during the first year of life for posterior dislocation of the shoulder (incidence 0.28 per thousand) since such a condition may occur in 7% of children with a brachial plexus birth lesion.

Injuries to the nerves associated with fractured forearms in children.

Partial and complete injured median and ulnar nerves caused by fractures of the radius and ulna, respectively, in which the symptoms of nervous injury were induced at the time of fracture are reported. In cases with complete loss of nervous function early exploration should be considered at the time of reposition or plating of the fractured bones, or both, and in patients in whom nervous dysfunction occurs after the operation.

Prevention of severe contractures might replace multilevel surgery in cerebral palsy: results of a population-based health care programme and new techniques to reduce spasticity.

During the 1990s three new techniques to reduce spasticity and dystonia in children with cerebral palsy (CP) were introduced in southern Sweden: selective dorsal rhizotomy, continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion and botulinum toxin treatment. In 1994 a CP register and a health care programme, aimed to prevent hip dislocation and severe contractures, were initiated in the area. The total population of children with CP born 1990-1991, 1992-1993 and 1994-1995 was evaluated and compared at 8 years of age. In non-ambulant children the passive range of motion in hip, knee and ankle improved significantly from the first to the later age groups. Ambulant children had similar range of motion in the three age groups, with almost no severe contractures. The proportion of children treated with orthopaedic surgery for contracture or skeletal torsion deformity decreased from 40 to 15% (P = 0.0019). One-fifth of the children with spastic diplegia had been treated with selective dorsal rhizotomy. One-third of the children born 1994-1995 had been treated with botulinum toxin before 8 years of age. With early treatment of spasticity, early non-operative treatment of contracture and prevention of hip dislocation, the need for orthopaedic surgery for contracture or torsion deformity is reduced, and the need for multilevel procedures seems to be eliminated.

Reduced training is associated with increased loss of BMD.

UNLABELLED: This 8-year controlled, follow-up study in 66 Swedish soccer women evaluated the effect of training and reduced training on BMD. The players who retired during the follow-up lost BMD in the femoral neck, whereas the controls did not. INTRODUCTION: Physical activity during adolescence increases BMD, but whether the benefits are retained with reduced activity is controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At baseline, DXA evaluated BMD in 48 active female soccer players with a mean age of 18.2 +/- 4.4 (SD) years, in 18 former female soccer players with a mean age of 43.2 +/- 6.2 years and retired for a mean of 9.4 +/- 5.3 years, and in 64 age- and sex-matched controls. The soccer women were remeasured after a mean of 8.0 +/- 0.3 years, when 35 of the players active at baseline had been retired for a mean of 5.3 +/- 1.6 years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The players still active at follow-up had a higher BMD at baseline than the matched controls in the femoral neck (FN; 1.13 +/- 0.19 versus 1.00 +/- 0.13 g/cm2; p = 0.02). The yearly gain in BMD during follow-up was higher in the active players than in the controls in the leg (0.015 +/- 0.006 versus 0.007 +/- 0.012 g/cm2, p = 0.04). The soccer players who retired during follow-up had a higher BMD at baseline than the matched controls in the FN (1.13 +/- 0.13 versus 1.04 +/- 0.13 g/cm2; p = 0.005). The players that retired during follow-up lost BMD, whereas the controls gained BMD during the study period in the FN (-0.007 +/- 0.01 versus 0.003 +/- 0.02 g/cm2 yearly; p = 0.01). The soccer players already retired at baseline had higher BMD at study start than the matched controls in the leg (1.26 +/- 0.09 versus 1.18 +/- 0.10 g/cm2; p = 0.01). The former players who were retired at study start lost BMD, whereas the controls gained BMD during the study period in the trochanter (-0.006 +/- 0.01 versus 0.004 +/- 0.014 g/cm2 yearly; p = 0.01). This study shows that, in girls, intense exercise after puberty is associated with higher accrual of BMD, and decreased physical activity in both the short-term and long-term perspective is associated with higher BMD loss than in controls.

Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of the neck of the femur in children treated with drilling.

We re-examined 11 children (mean age 6.5 years) who had been treated with surgical drilling and intravenous (i.v.) antibiotics in high doses for acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of the neck of the femur. The mean follow-up time was 3.9 (2.9-6.4) years. 9 children who had been treated with early surgical drilling and i.v. antibiotics were all symptom-free and had normal radiographs at follow-up. The other 2 children had radiographic changes (metaphyseal rarefaction) already when referred to us. They had been treated with antibiotics alone before referral until the infection had spread to the hip joint. At follow-up, the clinical and radiographical findings were abnormal, 1 had a severely deformed hip. In our opinion, treatment with i.v. antibiotics alone may not prevent extension of the infectious process to the hip joint in some cases, even when the medication is given in high doses. Therefore, we believe that the addition of early surgical drilling is justified to prevent this feared complication.

Effects of alcohol on bone mineral and mechanical properties of bone in male rats.

The effect of ethanol on bone mineral is poorly understood. In this study we have investigated whether ethanol affects bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the mechanical properties of the tibia and femora in male Sprague-Dawley rats without histopathological signs of liver disease or nutritional deficit. Thirty-five male rats were fed a liquid diet containing 15% ethanol and glucose. An equivalent iso-volumetric amount of glucose-containing liquid was fed to the controls (n = 35). After an initial difference in weight, we found no difference in weight gain from week 1 to week 6. All animals were killed at 6 weeks. We found no evidence of ethanol-induced liver disease in a histopathological evaluation. The BMD and BMC were found to be lower in the ethanol group. No differences between the groups were found in the mechanical properties or in the length and size of the femora. We suggest that alcohol may have a toxic effect on bone in male rats known not to suffer from any histopathological hepatic lesions.