The Affectivity in Infants with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip and Distress and Depressive Symptoms in Their Mothers

Objective: Although developmental dysplasia of the hip is the most common orthopedic condition of infancy, there is limited evidence on the impact of developmental dysplasia of the hip on postpartum maternal psychology and infant behavior. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between developmental dysplasia of the hip, postpartum maternal depression, parental distress, and infant behavior.

Methods: Forty-six mothers and infants aged 3-6 months were enrolled in this case–control study. The case group comprised mothers and infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip and the control group comprised mothers and infants without developmental dysplasia of the hip. Developmental dysplasia of the hip diagnosis was made by hip ultrasonography performed via the Graf technique. Infants with types 3 and 4 developmental dysplasia of the hip based on the Graf classification were included in the case group. Maternal depressive symptoms were screened with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale; maternal stress, parent–child interaction, and difficult temperament were assessed with the Parenting Stress Index; and infant behavior was determined by the Infant Behavior Questionnaire Revised Very Short Form.

Results: There were no differences between groups in maternal depressive symptoms (P=.737), parental distress (P=.569), parent– child dysfunctional interaction (P=.677), difficult child (P=.201), negative behavior (P=.806), and positive behavior (P=.111).

Conclusions: Developmental dysplasia of the hip did not cause infants to demonstrate pain-related behaviors such as clinginess, fussiness, and crying that affected parental distress and maternal depressive symptoms. Because no changes in infant behavior and no limitations in infant motor movement were observed by the mothers, having an infant with developmental dysplasia of the hip was not related to maternal depressive symptoms or distress.

Cite this article as: Demirpençe Seçinti D, Albayrak ZS, Şen Demirdöğen E, et al. The affectivity in infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip and distress and depressive symptoms in their mothers. Arch Basic Clin Res 2022;4(3): 119-124.