Significance of inguinal folds for diagnosis of congenital dislocation of the hip in infants aged three to four months.

Abstract

We evaluated the usefulness of the appearance of asymmetrical inguinal folds in the frog leg position as a screening indicator for congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) in the hope that we might be able to decrease the frequency of radiographic examinations of 3-4-month-old infants. Abnormal inguinal folds were observed in 499 (23.8%) of the 2,111 patients examined at the Asahikawa Health Center, and these 499 included all patients with complete dislocation or subluxation. Abnormal inguinal folds were also present in all 29 previously untreated patients with complete dislocation and in 11 with subluxation seen in our department. Because limited passive hip abduction is less sensitive than abnormal inguinal folds, we recommend inguinal fold assessment as a useful adjunct to other screening methods for CDH in 3-4-month-old infants.