Shanghai hospitals are the first in the nation to introduce ultrasonic checkups to identify hip diseases in babies six months after delivery.

Babies diagnosed early can be treated and will grow up normally, medical experts said at a symposium of hip disorders over the weekend.

Pioneering doctor Reinhard Graf, from Austria, is leading the training of local doctors in the procedure.

"Early detection of hip disorders allows children to be treated through non-surgical methods," said Dr Zhao Li from Xinhua Hospital's orthopedics department.

"If the problem is found when the child is aged over two, surgery is necessary."

One in 1,000 people in the city have hip disorders.

"Some people with deteriorated hip disorders undergo hip joint replacement surgery in their 20s or 30s," Zhao said.

Shanghai has doctors at community hospitals who can conduct the primary screening on infants.

Diagnosed hip disorders will be passed to major hospitals for treatment.

"Ultrasonic diagnosis is the most effective method," Zhao said.

"We will work out the guidelines for the checkups."

(Shanghai Daily September 22, 2008)