NIPE newborn hip screening: screen positive pathway
Updated 7 March 2024
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This flowchart (illustration and text description below) describes the screening pathway for babies that have a screen positive result during newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) newborn hip screening.
1. Screen positive result from NIPE newborn hip screening
If the baby is not brought to any of the following appointments, follow up according to local did not attend (DNA) or was not brought (WNB) policy. If an ultrasound scan (USS) appears normal, the baby can be discharged as per locally agreed clinical pathway.
2. Is the baby born more than or equal to 34+0 weeks gestation?
Yes: Perform hip USS between 4 to 6 weeks of age. Orthopaedic specialist to review by 6 weeks of age. The baby can be discharged from hip screening pathway after normal USS as per locally agreed clinical pathway. Go to question 3.
No: Perform hip USS between 38+0 to 40+0 weeks corrected age. Orthopaedic specialist to review with USS by 40+0 weeks corrected age. The baby can be discharged from hip screening pathway after normal USS as per locally agreed clinical pathway. Go to question 3.
3. Is an abnormality confirmed?
Yes: Follow local clinical pathway. Go to NIPE infant 6 to 8 week screening pathway for the remaining NIPE infant screening. End of pathway.
No: Go to NIPE infant 6 to 8 week screening pathway. End of pathway.