An infant hip ultrasound is a short, painless scan that uses sound waves to show how your baby’s hip joints are developing. A sonographer usually asks you to undress your baby from the waist down, places the baby on their side, applies gel to each hip, and moves a small probe over the skin. The appointment often takes about 10–15 minutes, and you can usually stay beside your baby.
Why does a baby need a hip ultrasound?
A hip ultrasound helps healthcare professionals check whether an infant’s hip joints are developing as expected. Each hip is a ball-and-socket joint: the rounded top of the thighbone should sit securely within the hip socket. The scan can help identify developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a condition in which the socket is shallow or the joint does not fit together as expected.
A healthcare professional may recommend this scan after noticing something during a newborn hip examination or when a baby has factors associated with a higher likelihood of hip dysplasia. These factors can include being born in the breech position, meaning the baby was positioned bottom-first, or having a parent or sibling who had hip dysplasia during infancy. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute explains that physical examinations and imaging are used together to assess infants’ hip development. A referral for an ultrasound does not automatically mean that a hip problem is present.
At what age is an infant hip ultrasound performed?
The timing depends on why the scan has been recommended, your baby’s age, and the local screening pathway. Babies with risk factors but no concerning findings on examination may have a scan during the first several weeks of life. If the newborn examination raises a concern, the healthcare team may arrange imaging earlier. The appointment instructions from your baby’s clinician or hospital are the best guide to the recommended timing.
Age also affects which imaging test is most useful. According to RadiologyInfo’s guidance on developmental dysplasia of the hip in children, ultrasound is generally an appropriate imaging test for infants younger than four months when the examination is uncertain or risk factors are present. For older babies, a pelvic X-ray may be more appropriate because the bones become easier to assess as they develop. Your clinician will choose the test based on your baby’s circumstances.
How should you prepare your baby for the appointment?
Most babies do not need special preparation for a hip ultrasound. The scan does not usually require fasting, medicine, or sedation. Choose clothing that is easy to remove from your baby’s lower body, and bring the usual items you use for feeding and comfort.
To make the visit more comfortable, consider the following practical steps:
- Feed your baby beforehand if appropriate. A recent feed may help your baby settle. Check the appointment instructions or ask the imaging team whether feeding just before the scan is suitable.
- Bring a bottle, pacifier, or other familiar comfort item. These may help soothe your baby if they become unsettled.
- Pack spare nappies and wipes. Your baby may need to have their lower clothing or nappy removed, depending on the facility’s procedure.
- Arrive with enough time to settle. Arriving a little early can give you time to feed or comfort your baby before the examination.
These suggestions reflect the preparation advice provided by Dorset County Hospital’s infant hip ultrasound guidance. Follow any specific instructions given by your own imaging centre, as arrangements can differ between facilities.
What happens during an infant hip ultrasound?
The scan is usually performed by a sonographer, a healthcare professional trained to carry out ultrasound examinations, or by a radiologist. The team may first ask about your baby’s birth history and why the scan was requested. They will explain how to position your baby and give you an opportunity to ask questions before the examination begins.
1. Your baby is positioned for the scan
You will generally be asked to remove your baby’s clothing from the lower body. Depending on the facility, the nappy may remain on, with each side opened in turn, or it may need to be removed. Your baby is usually placed on their side in a specially designed cradle or on the scanning table to help them remain comfortably positioned.
2. Gel is applied to the skin
The sonographer places a small amount of ultrasound gel over the hip being examined. The gel helps the ultrasound probe make good contact with the skin and produce clear images. It may feel cool or slightly warm, depending on the gel and the room conditions, but it should not hurt your baby.
3. The sonographer moves the probe over each hip
A small handheld device, called a probe or transducer, is moved gently across the skin. Images appear on a screen as sound waves travel into the body and return to the probe. The sonographer collects views of the first hip, then repositions your baby to examine the other one. Both hips are normally checked, even if the original concern involved only one side.
The sonographer may adjust the probe or your baby’s position to obtain the views needed for assessment. You may see the images on the screen, but the pictures can be difficult to interpret without specialist training. The scan is designed to assess how the joint is formed and positioned, rather than for parents to determine a result by looking at the screen.
Will the scan hurt, and is it safe?
An infant hip ultrasound is noninvasive, meaning it does not involve needles or incisions. It uses sound waves rather than X-rays, so it does not expose your baby to ionizing radiation. RadiologyInfo’s overview of hip ultrasound describes the examination as safe and painless, with no known harmful effects from standard diagnostic ultrasound.
Some babies cry, wriggle, or become restless during the scan. This can happen because they dislike being held in one position, feel unsettled in an unfamiliar room, or need feeding or comforting. Crying by itself does not mean that the examination is hurting them or that their hips have a problem. You can usually remain close to your baby, speak gently, and help soothe them while the sonographer works.
The examination should not require sedation. If your baby is particularly unsettled and the sonographer cannot obtain the necessary images, the team can explain whether a short pause or another appointment is needed.
How long does an infant hip ultrasound take?
The ultrasound itself commonly takes about 10–15 minutes, although the full appointment may be longer because of registration, discussion with the team, undressing, positioning, and settling your baby. The time can vary depending on how easily the sonographer obtains the required images and whether additional views are needed.
Allow enough time for feeding, changing a nappy, and comforting your baby before or after the scan. There is usually no recovery period, and your baby can generally return to their usual feeding and activities afterward.
What does the sonographer look for?
The main purpose of an infant hip ultrasound is to examine how the hip joint is developing. The sonographer obtains images that allow the healthcare team to assess the shape and depth of the hip socket, the position of the rounded top of the thighbone, and how securely the joint sits together. The assessment may also include measurements and observations of joint stability.
These details help the clinician assess whether the hips appear to be developing as expected or whether further assessment is needed. A baby’s age is important when interpreting the images because hip joints continue to develop after birth. The scan findings are considered alongside the physical examination and relevant medical history.
When will you receive the results?
The timing depends on the facility. In some hospitals, a clinician discusses the findings with the family at the end of the appointment. In others, a radiologist reviews the images and sends a report to the clinician who requested the scan, who then contacts the family. Before leaving, ask who will explain the results and when you should expect to hear from them.
The findings may lead to different next steps:
- Hip development appears normal: The clinician may advise that no further imaging is needed, while continuing routine checks as appropriate.
- The findings are uncertain or the hips appear immature: A repeat ultrasound may be arranged after an interval to see how the joints develop.
- The scan raises concern about the hip joint: Your baby may be referred to a paediatric orthopaedic specialist or another team experienced in infant hip conditions for further assessment and advice.
The UK National Health Service guidance on developmental dysplasia of the hip explains that ultrasound is used to assess suspected DDH in babies and that specialist assessment may be needed when a problem is identified. An uncertain or abnormal result does not, on its own, tell you exactly what treatment your baby will need. The clinician will explain the findings and the recommended follow-up.
What happens after the scan?
Most babies can go home after the examination and resume their usual routine. You do not generally need to apply anything to the skin after the gel is wiped away, and no special aftercare is normally necessary. If a follow-up appointment is recommended, make sure you know the expected date or time frame and how the results will be communicated.
If the scan identifies a concern, the next step may involve another imaging examination, a specialist assessment, or monitoring as your baby grows. Some infants need only a repeat scan, while others may need treatment to help the hip joint develop in a better position. Your baby’s healthcare team will explain the plan based on the actual findings.
How can you help your baby stay comfortable?
Keep your baby’s familiar comfort items nearby and ask the staff whether you can feed or soothe them during the appointment. Follow the sonographer’s instructions about positioning, and let them know if your baby needs a short break. You do not need to keep your baby perfectly still yourself; the imaging team can guide you on how to help safely.
Before leaving, make sure you understand whether the result was discussed at the appointment or will be sent to your baby’s clinician later. If a repeat scan or referral is recommended, ask why it is needed and how it will be arranged. Knowing the follow-up plan can make the experience easier to manage.