October 28, 2013

expert reaction to article linking swaddling to hip abnormalities

A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon writing in the Archives of Disease in Childhood warned about the resurgence of traditional swaddling of babies since the technique is known to be linked to developmental hip problems.

Andreas Roposch, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Great Ormond Street Hospital, said:

“There is indeed evidence that swaddling can affect the normal development of infants’ hips. Similar effects may be seen in all devices or manoeuvres that place the legs in a purely straight position for prolonged periods in this critical age of early infancy.  Swaddling should not be employed in my view as there is no health benefit but a risk for adverse consequences of the growing and often immature hips.”

Dr Alastair Sutcliffe, Reader in General Paediatrics at the Institute of Child Health, University College London, said:

“Swaddling has been known to be associated with an increased risk of Congenital Dislocation of the Hip (CDH) for many years.

“The archetypal example is in traditions where a baby is carried with their legs splayed around a Mother’s waist (e.g. Nigeria) there is a virtually unseen rate of CDH whereas in a country where swaddling is employed e.g. far eastern countries there is a much higher rate of CDH.

“I would advise that if a baby needs to be wrapped up to get off to sleep that parents do this in a  sympathetic and loose manner, and NOT tight especially around the babies’ hips.”

‘Swaddling and hip dysplasia: an orthopaedic perspective’ by N. Clarke published in Archives of Disease in Childhood on Monday 28 October 2013.