Comparative analysis of hip joint development abnormalities and risk factors in preterm and term infants

Term singletons, female, and non-SGA infants demonstrated a higher proportion of abnormal hip joints during the early postnatal period. Among neonates born after 28 weeks of gestation, there is no difference in hip development between preterm infants with a birth weight percentile <P50 and term infants. Most abnormal hip joints in both preterm and term infants are due to physiological immaturity and tend to resolve by themselves as natural growth and development. The timing of hip ultrasound screening for preterm infants born after 28 weeks of gestation may not require correction for gestational age.