Sulphur Biology in Skeletal Development: An Explorative Study into the Aetiology of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Description

In this presentation, Amanda Rhodes, an ST7 in the Wessex Deanery, discusses her research on the role of sulfur in the etiology of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) conducted at Southampton Children's Hospital. She highlights the prevalence of DDH, noting it affects up to 3% of infants in the UK and poses significant public health challenges due to late-presenting cases. Amanda emphasizes the lack of understanding of the genetic and metabolic pathways associated with this orthopedic disorder, suggesting that sulfur biology could be a critical area of exploration.



The study aimed to investigate metabolic pathways' involvement in DDH by analyzing urine samples from infants attending a hip screening clinic. After excluding certain infants, they collected samples from 96 participants, resulting in a study group of 91 infants, including 25 with confirmed DDH. The analysis revealed significantly lower levels of urinary sulfate, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and creatinine in the DDH group, indicating potential links to nutritional status and bone health.



Amanda acknowledges the study's limitations, including the lack of consideration for dietary intake and the demographic diversity of participants. She concludes that this research is the first to explore sulfur’s potential role in DDH, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the implications for screening and treatment of the condition. The presentation ends with a discussion of the biochemical pathways related to DDH, hinting at further research opportunities.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221601

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