During delivery , hip dislocation condition is called

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Hip dislocation occurring during/around delivery is called Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) - previously known as Congenital Dislocation of the Hip (CDH).

Here is a full summary based on authoritative orthopaedic and embryology textbooks:

Hip Dislocation During Delivery

The condition is called Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) - the modern, preferred term that replaced the older term "Congenital Dislocation of the Hip (CDH)".

What is DDH?

DDH describes a spectrum of hip abnormalities including:

Subluxation (partial dislocation of the femoral head from the acetabulum)
Complete dislocation of the femoral head from the true acetabulum
Acetabular dysplasia (underdevelopment of the socket)

In a newborn with DDH, the femoral head can often be dislocated and reduced into and out of the true acetabulum. In older children, the femoral head may remain permanently dislocated with secondary changes in both femoral head and acetabulum.

(Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics 15th Ed 2026)

Why "Developmental" and not "Congenital"?

The term was changed because dislocation almost always occurs after birth, not in utero - hence "developmental" rather than strictly "congenital." The joint capsule is very relaxed at birth, with underdevelopment of the acetabulum and femoral head, creating conditions for dislocation to occur.

(The Developing Human - Clinically Oriented Embryology)

Key Risk Factors (delivery-related)

Risk Factor	Detail
Breech delivery	Most important delivery risk factor; incidence of DDH significantly increased
Female sex	5x more common in girls than boys
Female + breech	DDH in 2.8% of such births
Firstborn child	Higher risk than subsequent siblings
Family history	Raises likelihood to ~10%

Breech presentation is especially relevant - the abnormal posture during terminal months of pregnancy may cause abnormal development of the acetabulum and femoral head.

Incidence

Approximately 1 in 1000 live births (physical exam)
Up to 25 per 1000 by ultrasound screening

Quick Note on Terminology

DDH = current standard term (used since ~1990s)
CDH (Congenital Dislocation of Hip) = older term, still used informally and in exam questions
Obstetric hip dislocation = a traumatic dislocation caused by forceps or breech delivery maneuvers (rare, distinct from DDH)

So if an exam question asks "hip dislocation during delivery," the expected answer is DDH (Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip), formerly called CDH (Congenital Dislocation of the Hip).

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