Generally performed when babies are 6-8 months old, hip sonography or ultrasound detects developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a hip deformity that can occur before, during, or weeks to months after birth.
In a normal-functioning hip, the femoral head rests comfortably in its socket, but in babies with DDH, it moves back and forth within the socket and in more serious cases, may move out of the socket, or dislocate.
The likelihood of DDH increases:
- In pregnancies in which the foetus is cramped in the uterus (due to a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid)
- Abnormal position of the baby in the womb (breech position)
- Babies with a family history of DDH
The hip ultrasound will usually be done in the radiology department of a hospital or in a radiology centre. Parents can usually accompany their child to provide reassurance and support.