A baby has a positive Barlow test at the newborn examination. What does this indicate and what is the next step?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. A dislocatable hip, needing referral for hip ultrasound

  1. Step 1: Barlow provocation dislocates an unstable hip.
  2. Step 2: Developmental dysplasia of the hip is treated early with a harness.
Answer
A dislocatable hip, needing referral for hip ultrasound.
Why not the others: Congenital heart disease: Heart disease is not tested by Barlow. Scoliosis of the lumbar spine: Scoliosis is not tested by Barlow. A normal variant that needs no follow up: It is not normal.

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