ABCs of DDH: What moms and dads need to know

A family’s journey with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) typically starts when a baby’s pediatrician hears a click in her hips. The next steps often include an ultrasound and a follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon, perhaps a pediatric hip specialist. College friends Tosha LoSurdo and Jessica Rohrick recently re-connected after their babies were both diagnosed with and treated for DDH at the Boston Children’s Hospital Child and Young Adult Hip Preservation Program. Tosha’s daughter, Carmela, and Jessica’s daughter, Phallon, were treated with a Pavlik harness and are on a regular follow-up schedule with their pediatric orthopedic surgeons — Drs. Eduardo Novais and Travis Matheney. The new parents offer advice for other parents whose babies are diagnosed with DDH. Mom-to-mom advice for infant hip dysplasia   Jessica: Don’t let the harness keep you from doing what you want with your baby. I wanted to dress her in pretty little girl baby clothes and take her to the beach. So I did, with the harness on.   Tosha: Involve your orthopedic surgeon in your decisions. Dr. Novais encouraged us to wait to use cloth diapers or an infant carrier with Carmela. He wanted to hold all the factors in her care constant to see if the harness was working. Now, we use both types of diapers with Dr. Novais’ guidance. Cloth diapers can be beneficial as they can act like a brace by holding the hips wider. Jessica: Have fun with it...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Parenting Child and Young Adult Hip Preservation Program DDH Dr. Eduardo Novais Dr. Travis Matheney hip dysplasia Pavlik harness Source Type: news