Background & Aims: Natural history of developmental dislocation of hip (DDH) is usually towards to length discrepancy, limping and finally bed ridden in fifth decade of life. Delay in diagnosis will result in compensatory anatomical changes and sophistication in treatment protocol. Ultimate results will be also affected by delayed diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to evaluate the etiology for delayed referring of patients in Imam Khomeini hospital.

  Materials & Methods : After research committee approval, 60 patients with developmental dislocation of hip with delayed presentation were evaluated. These patients delayed more than 3 months. A questionnaire was designed according to the study purposes and completed by review of charts and interview with parents. The data were gathered and statistical analysis was done using SPSS.

  Results : Sixty patients had delayed diagnosis and 45 of them had delayed referring. Fifteen patients were referred immediately after delayed diagnosis. Fifty seven deliveries were performed in hospital. For all these patients screening for DDH was performed. The most common reason for referring was limping and the most common cause for delayed referring was economic problems. Mothers were the most common persons who noticed a problem regarding their babies.

  Conclusion : Despite of screening protocols for DDH, our patients were missed and after the diagnosis most of them do not refer because of financial problems.   

  Source : Urmia Med J 2012: 22(6): 581 ISSN: 1027-3727