Diagnosing DDH

Within 72 hours of giving birth, your baby's hips will be checked as part of the newborn physical examination . Another hip examination is carried out when your baby is between six and eight weeks old.

The examination involves gentle manipulation of your baby's hip joints to check if there are any problems, and shouldn't cause them any discomfort.

An ultrasound scan is usually recommended within a few weeks if:

  • the hip feels unstable
  • there's a family history of childhood hip problems
  • your baby was born in the breech position (feet first with their bottom downwards)
  • you've had twins or a multiple birth
  • your baby was born prematurely before the 37th week of pregnancy

Sometimes a baby's hip stabilises on its own before the scan is due.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018