Breech baby - scan today showed "immature hips" - anybody know what this is?

[Elf1981]

My DD is nearly 8 weeks old. Today she had a scan at the hospital in the hip instability clinic becuase she was a breechie (born by C-section). When she was born her hips were checked for clicky hips, but they were both found to be fine. The referral to the hospital was standard procedure in our area.
So, she had the scan today (screamed like blue murder all the way through, seemed thoroughly displeased with her evil mummy!) and then a follow up with a doctor. The doctor said she does not have clicky hips, but the scan showed immature hips and she needs a follow up scan in three weeks.
What on earth is immature hips and what does this mean? Does anybody have any experience?
I would have asked the doctor but DD started screaming again (must have been a flashback to the gel they put on her hips and she was not impressed!) so wondered if anybody could help?

[NotQuiteCockney]

I think this is something that could cause problems with walking. It's good they're monitoring them. I'm not sure what the treatment options are if they don't sort themselves out, though.

(My DS1 was breech, but footling, so no risk to the hips. Still had the scans, but he peed on the sonographer, which seemed to even the score a bit.)

[Kelly1978]

my dts were breech and also had that scan. I can't remember all they said, but I think an immature hip is where the hip hasn't formed properly yet and so it isn't in the correct position yet or soemthing. I think in a young baby this can be normal and will sort itself out. Otherwise it could need treating. 8 weeks is very young, I think mine were quite a bit older when they had theirs.

[frogs]

Yes, this seems to be normal with breech babies -- their position in the womb means that their hip joints are under a certain amount of pressure. I think all that is meant by 'immature hips' is that the hip sockets are still quite shallow at that age, so they can't always tell definitely whether there is a potential problem, so they follow it up with a second scan. Dd2 wasn't discharged from the clicky hips dept until about 4 months iirc.

[Elf1981]

Phew, was a bit concerned for a moment! Was a bit stressful having the scan, esp the sonographer who seemed displesed that Evie was howling. She asked me whether Evie had a dummy, I said no, and she said "well, stick your finger in her mouth, it quietens them down". Hmmm, not my DD!!
I was told by the doctor to put her in the frog position when I can (legs akimbo!) and also carry her in the baby sling as much as possible. Going shopping tomorrow for a bit so will try the baby sling, so far only DH has used it.
NQC - my DD has peed and pooped over our HV. Hee, hee.

[Hazellnut]

dd wasn't breech but in a funny position and she too had this scan at, I think 6 weeks. They didn't call them 'immature' but I guess this is what they were as they then referred her to come back 4 or 5 weeks later. Basically the hip sockets weren't developed/deep enough (were on borderline normal) but everything else fine. At the next scan one was fine, the other remained borderline so at 6 months she had an x-ray and again the same one was still borderline so she has to go back at 1 year for another x-ray. I asked what would happen if she was still borderline and they said she would have to come back at 18 months for another x-ray !! I don't think there can be anything wrong with her hips given she is pulling herslef up everywhere and desperate to walk... but I guess it is good they are monitoring her.

I would think this is what yours mean too. And FWIW - dd screamed blue murder at all of hers and in fact at the first two wee'd everywhere too (however, we had more sympathetic scanners !!) which is VERY traumatic with a 4/5 week old baby and you've just worked out which end is which .

[justmummy]

Hi both my ds and dd had this. They were scanned because i had a dislocated hip when born and it can be hereditary. My ds had one very shallow socket and had to wear a pavlik harness for 12 weeks. This kept his legs in the frog position and therefore pushes the ball into the socket to deepen it as it develops.
He had constant scans and an xray just after 1st and 2nd birthday - then discharged no ongoing problems.
DD had a slightly shallow socket but just had to wear a double layer of nappies for a while. I used a terry nappy over her disposable to keep her legs slightly apart. This sorted her problem and she was discharged after her 1st birthday. Both are fine and walk normally (now 8 and 4).
It's much better if they find the problem now, if left it can mean they will need surgery and be in traction for weeks.
Don't worry she'll be fine.