Do the trace elements play a role in the etiopathogenesis of developmental dysplasia of hip?

OBJECTIVE: Alterations in the connective tissue of the hip joint capsule and ligaments might account for the increased laxity seen in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip. The tensile features of the connective tissue depend on collagen. A number of prior studies have noted the association between the trace elements and collagen biosynthesis. The aim of this research is to determine whether there exists an association between the trace elements and developmental dysplasia of the hip. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This investigation included 27 patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (18 females and nine males; mean age 24.3 +/- 6.3 months, range 18-36 months) and 26 healthy controls (15 females and 11 males; mean age 23.8 +/- 5.4 months, range 18-36 months). The levels of the serum trace elements in the groups were statistically compared. RESULTS: The Cu levels of the patients with developmental dysplasia of hip were statistically higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). The Zn, Fe, Mg, and Mn levels of the patients with developmental dysplasia of hip were statistically lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found an association between developmental dysplasia of the hip and the serum trace element levels. We, therefore, believe that the trace element levels may shed light on the etiopathogenesis of developmental dysplasia of the hip. This work should be supported by future studies concerning the causes of the alterations in the serum trace element levels seen in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip.