Risk factors for hip displacement in cerebral palsy: A population-based study of 121 nonambulatory children

Abstract

Purpose: The aim was to evaluate which clinical and radiographic variables are independent (true) risk factors for hip subluxation in nonambulatory children below 5 years of age with cerebral palsy. Methods: Patients were recruited from a population-based hip surveillance program. Inclusion criteria were birth during 2002–2006, age below 5 years, and gross motor function classification system levels III–V. In all, 121 children (71 boys) met these criteria. Gross motor function classification system was level III in 29 patients, level IV in 28, and level V in 64. Anteroposterior radiographs at diagnosis and during follow-up were assessed, and only the worst hip of each patient was used for the analyses. The mean age at the initial radiograph was 2.5 years (range: 0.7–4.9 years), and the mean follow-up time was 4.0 years (range: 0.5–11.8 years). Results: At the last follow-up, 67 children had a clinically significant hip displacement, defined as migration percentage ≥40%. Univariable regression analysis defined these risk factors: gross motor function classification system level V, spastic bilateral cerebral palsy, initial migration percentage, yearly rate of migration percentage progression, and initial acetabular index. When these variables were analyzed with multivariable regression in 107 patients with initial migration percentage <50% and follow-up ≥1.0 year, the independent risk factors were initial migration percentage (p = 0.003) and yearly rate of migration percentage progression (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The parameters that need to be assessed in hip surveillance in children below 5 years of age are initial migration percentage and rate of migration percentage progression. Acetabular index and femoral head–shaft angle might be useful later for decision-making regarding choice of treatment. Level of evidence: Level II, development of diagnostic criteria.