Does the COVID‐19 pandemic cause late diagnosis and delay in treatment in developmental dysplasia of hip patients?

Mert Doğan, Güleç; Aslantürk, Okan

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to search the effect of COVID‐19 restriction on developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) screening. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the patients who brought to DDH screening in April‐May and June‐July 2020 and compared with the same period of 2019. We recorded age, gender, DDH type and risk factors of the patients. RESULTS: The number of patients taken for DDH screening was 430 and 400 in April‐May 2019 and June‐July 2019, respectively. In 2020, the number of patients taken for DDH screening was 159 and 776 in the same period, respectively. Thirteen patients were diagnosed with DDH older than 3 months age in June‐July 2020. There were only two patients in same period in 2019. In 2020, 6 of 13 patients who applied to the hospital late for the routine US and had pathologic hips were not taken to orthopaedics or follow‐up by their families. CONCLUSION: In the era of COVID‐19, the number of late diagnosis and lost follow‐up for DDH are increased. To prevent future morbidities and reduce surgical interventions, special measures should be taken.