DDH

DDH

DDH is a health condition of the hip joint. It encompasses abnormal development of the acetabulum and proximal femur of the hip. Young babies normally have physiologic laxity of the hip and weak acetabulum during the first week of life. The condition is common in developed countries compared to Africa. This research paper offers insight into why Africa has a low rate of DDH compared to other countries of the world.

Africa has a low rate of DDH because mothers and caregivers engage in back-carrying infants to discourage DDH and its sequelae. Back carrying infants usually mimic the Pavlik harness, which assists in keeping the hips and knee of the infant in a bent position while spreading thighs apart. It helps in aligning the bones to the joint to help in the healthy development of the hip joint of the child. Back-carrying is universally used in Africa as the sole method of transporting infants. Parents and caregivers usually start back-carrying infants at the age of two to six weeks, and they continue until the infant attains the age of 18 to 24 months. Therefore back-carrying of the African infants typically promotes the development of acetabulum, and this has contributed to a low rate of DDH in Africa. Other countries around the world should adopt the practice of back-carrying young infants to reduce the instances of a high percentage of DDH.

In conclusion, DDH is majorly a health condition of hips joint of young infants. The health condition is more prevalent in developed countries compared to Africa. The African countries record low rates of DDH because of the back-carrying practice of African parents and caregivers.