The registry aims to:
1) Develop an international, prospective DDH registry that encompasses the entire diagnostic spectrum, with follow-up to skeletal maturity. Specific aims:
- To identify area variation in screening, diagnosis and management protocols
- To compare characteristics and outcomes of early- and late-presenting cases
- To compare brace treatment outcomes within and across diagnostic categories
- To compare surgical treatment outcomes within and across diagnostic categories
- To determine the optimal timing of both bracing and surgical treatment
- To identify and characterize risk factors for treatment complications (i.e. AVN)
- To determine predictors of the need for hip reconstructive surgery in adolescence
2) Develop targeted, hypothesis-testing studies within the broader scope of the registry:
- An assessment and analysis of risk factor screening and monitoring protocols for DDH by a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial (RCT)
- A comparison of rigid versus dynamic bracing in early treatment of DDH by RCT
- A comparison of observation versus bracing in clinically stable, ultrasonographically dysplastic hips by RCT
- An analysis of the impact of brace treatment length after hip stabilization by RCT
3) Clinical Care
- To globally improve screening, diagnosis, and management practices for DDH
- To reduce the number of walking-age DDH diagnoses
- To investigate the variability in screening, diagnosis, treatment, and current practice patterns for DDH in health care systems around the world
- To create resource-specific DDH care pathways to be used in varying health care systems (Please see CAREMAP LINK to learn more)
- To standardize DDH clinical care practices in health care systems of the Global North
4) Education
- To create and provide information and learning platforms for primary care physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, and other health care professionals in regards to DDH screening, diagnosis, management, and treatment practices
- To generate and share the best clinical practice guidelines as determined by registry data
- To utilize registry data for global education sessions on DDH screening, diagnosis, management, and treatment
- To create and provide global education exchange programs for residents and trainees
5) Advocacy
- To promote general public awareness of DDH as a significant pediatric condition
- To provide a platform for patients and families to have a voice in clinical and research priorities of DDH
- To improve screening and resource management in resource-poor health care systems