Which statement below is true of infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip?

Which statement below is true of infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip?

• A. They usually have other orthopedic ailments.
• B. Most have some congenital orthopedic anomaly.
• C. There is often pain in the hip when the infant's diaper is changed.
• D. A palpable clunk is considered diagnostic.

Answer: (B)

DDH is a developmental spectrum of hip joint abnormalities that can occur alongside other congenital musculoskeletal issues. Because the hip doesn’t develop in isolation, many affected infants also have some congenital orthopedic anomaly, so the statement that most have an additional congenital anomaly is the best reflection of how these conditions can cluster in newborns. Pain with diaper changes isn’t typical in infancy; babies can’t localize pain well, and hip pain is not a reliable or common presenting sign for DDH. A palpable clunk during a physical exam (the Ortolani sign) can indicate a dislocated hip, but it isn’t universal or perfectly diagnostic—hips that are mildly dysplastic or evaluated later may not produce a clear clunk, and imaging is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

DDH is a developmental spectrum of hip joint abnormalities that can occur alongside other congenital musculoskeletal issues. Because the hip doesn’t develop in isolation, many affected infants also have some congenital orthopedic anomaly, so the statement that most have an additional congenital anomaly is the best reflection of how these conditions can cluster in newborns.

Pain with diaper changes isn’t typical in infancy; babies can’t localize pain well, and hip pain is not a reliable or common presenting sign for DDH. A palpable clunk during a physical exam (the Ortolani sign) can indicate a dislocated hip, but it isn’t universal or perfectly diagnostic—hips that are mildly dysplastic or evaluated later may not produce a clear clunk, and imaging is needed to confirm the diagnosis.