Since September 1964, neonates born in New Plymouth have undergone clinical examination for instability of the hip in a structured clinical screening programme. Of the 41 563 babies born during this period, 1639 were diagnosed as having unstable hips and 663 (1.6%) with persisting instability were splinted, five of which failed. Also, three unsplinted hips progressed to congenital dislocation, and there were four late-presenting (walking) cases, giving an overall failure rate of 0.29 per 1000 live births, with an incidence of late-walking congenital dislocation of the hip of 0.1 per 1000 live births. This study confirms that clinical screening for neonatal instability of the hip by experienced orthopaedic examiners significantly reduces the incidence of late-presenting (walking) congenital dislocation of the hip.

Vernix caseosa peritonitis is a rare complication of pregnancy that can occur following Caesarean section. If fetal vernix enters the peritoneal cavity, it may incite an acute inflammatory response leading to peritonitis. This diagnosis should be considered when patients present with an acute abdomen pain following Caesarean section. Radiological imaging may identify lesions in the abdominal wall wound or peritoneal cavity, and the diagnosis can be made by image-guided biopsy.