ABSTRACT
Introduction Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common congenital disability in newborns. The condition can range from a slight laxity in the hip joint to secondary femoral head injury, early osteoarthritis (OA), and mobility issues. There are several risk factors for DDH, including positive family history, female sex, breech presentation, and the presence of clubfoot. Early detection and treatment are crucial to avoid long-term hip dysplasia and arthritis, which can cause difficulty in walking and discomfort. Breech presentation, in particular, is a significant risk factor for DDH, with spontaneous vaginal birth increasing the risk of hip pathology and instability compared to elective Caesarean section. However, whether breech presentation continues to be a risk factor for DDH in preterm children is unknown. Objective and methods This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of breech presentation and other gestational/delivery characteristics among newborns diagnosed with DDH. This retrospective study was conducted at Abha Maternity and Children Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia, over a period of six months. Data were collected from medical records of DDH cases diagnosed between 2016 and 2023. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States) and IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22 (Released 2013; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Descriptive statistics and statistical tests were used to analyze the data. Results Most of the diagnosed children were female (86.7%), and bilateral hip dislocation (40%) was the most common presentation. X-ray was the most common diagnostic tool (48.3%), and operative management was the most common management strategy (73.3%). A positive family history of DDH was reported in more than one-third of cases. The study also analyzed the association between complications during pregnancy and various factors such as mode of delivery, presentation at delivery, gestational age at delivery, and associated maternal diseases. The difference in complication rates between women who delivered via C-section and those who delivered vaginally was insignificant (p = 0.14). Similarly, the difference in complication rates between women with breech and cephalic presentation was not statistically significant (p = 0.094). The difference in complication rates between women who delivered preterm, at term, or post-term was also not statistically significant (p = 0.578). Furthermore, the association between complications during pregnancy and pregnancy-associated maternal diseases was not statistically significant (p = 1.00). Conclusion DDH is a significant health issue in newborns, leading to long-term mobility problems and discomfort. Positive family history of DDH is a significant risk factor. Breech presentation was not significantly associated with DDH in preterm children, and no significant associations were found between complications during pregnancy and various factors. Early detection and treatment of DDH are crucial for preventing long-term complications. Family history should be considered an important risk factor, emphasizing the need for screening programs in families with a history of DDH.
ABSTRACT
Introduction Acute otitis media (AOM) is an infection of the middle ear that produces pain, fever, and discharge, as well as hearing loss. It is one of the most common problems that pediatricians encounter. Almost 80% of children have had at least one episode of AOM, and between 80% and 90% have had at least one episode of otitis media with effusion before entering school. Methods The cross-sectional study is conducted among male and female patients, adults, and children who visited two of the largest government hospitals in the Aseer region in Southern Saudi Arabia (Aseer Central Hospital and Khamis Mushait General Hospital). The children and adults with AOM who visited the hospitals were traced by searching the medical record system by the keyword "acute otitis media." Two authors extracted data from the medical record and patients. After extracting data, the patient will be called through mobile phone to invite them to participate in the study. If the patient agrees to participate, she/he would be sent through email link containing an encrypted and high-security electronic signature to obtain his/her consent. Conclusion One of the most common pediatric infections is otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear). Children are more often than adults to get otitis media, and the majority of cases are treated with antibiotics. Clinicians commonly miss the acute stage of the disease, especially in children under the age of five. Delay or omission of diagnoses leads to inefficient management and an increased risk of negative effects.