Acetabular index values in healthy Turkish children between 6 months and 8 years of age: a cross-sectional radiological study

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the normal acetabular index values in children between 6 months and 8 years of age based on sex, age and side and to define the cutoff values for mild and severe acetabular dysplasia. Methods: The records collected from the data pool that was gathered to define the prevalence of untreated congenital hip dislocation in Turkish children between 6 months and 14 years of age was used. The acetabular index was measured on pelvic and abdominal radiographs of children between 6 months and 8 years of age, taken in 19 different cities for non-dysplasia related causes. The distribution of the index values based on age, sex and side. Results: Thirty-three hips of 21 children (0.75%) out of 2788 children were found to be subluxated or luxated. Acetabular index values of 5534 hips of 2767 children were measured. Acetabular index values of 723 (13%) hips of 493 children (17.8%) were found to be between 1 and 2 standard deviations. Acetabular index values of 147 hips (2.65%) of 118 children (4.3%) were calculated to be above 2 standard deviations. There was a negative correlation between the acetabular index and age. Conclusions: The study defines the normal acetabular index values in healthy Turkish children between 6 months and 8 years of age and the expected acetabular index values for mild and severe dysplasia.