Parents and health professionals urged to check babies hips for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH).

It’s Baby Hip Health Week running from 13 – 19 March 2011, and a national charity is hoping the event will raise awareness about the importance of a baby’s hip health.

It’s not just parents who are being urged to check their baby’s hips, but health professionals too.

In the UK, around 2000 children every year are diagnosed with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH).

The condition ranges from mild instability to total dislocation of the hip.

An early diagnosis can mean the condition is corrected through simple outpatient treatment.

But a missed or late diagnosis can lead to operations, hospital stays and permanent disability.

To help raise awareness about DDH, charity STEPS is asking people to hold a ‘Put the Kettle On’ event during Baby Hip Health Week.

STEPS spokesperson Julie Charlton says: “Whether you host a ‘Put the Kettle On’ event for two or two hundred people, we are very grateful for your donations. Without this support, our work, including campaigning, a helpline, information centre and website could not happen and many parents would be alone during a very difficult time. Ultimately we want all babies to be checked as early as possible and not have to endure unnecessary pain and suffering.”

Signs of DDH that parents should look out for include:

– one leg appearing shorter than the other.

– an extra deep crease on the inside of the thigh.

– crawling with one leg dragging or walking with a limp or a waddle.

For more information, visit: www.steps-charity.org.uk

Helpline: 01925 750271