[Role of echography in septic arthritis of the hip in the newborn].

Pyogenic arthritis of the hip in neonates remains a serious problem. The sequelae of delay in diagnosis and treatment can be crippling. Five hips, in four neonates, with a presumed diagnosis of septic arthritis were examined with ultrasonography. In two hips ultrasonography found intracapsular effusion. In the remaining three hips there were no pathological findings. In the two hips with joint effusion an arthrotomy was performed, dislodging pus in both cases. Follow-up radiographs and ultrasonographies of the five hips showed normal joint anatomy. In neonates, ultrasonography provides an early and reliable evaluation of hips in which septic arthritis is suspected.