Paediatric orthopaedics mnemonic

Hip problems of children by age

The mnemonic

Baby DDH, Child Perthes, Teen SCFE

What each word stands for

  • Baby DDHDevelopmental dysplasia: newborn and infant
  • Child PerthesPerthes disease: about 4 to 8 years
  • Teen SCFESlipped capital femoral epiphysis: obese adolescents

Why it matters clinically

A child with a limp or knee pain should have the hip examined, matched to age.

Where it stops being reliable

Septic arthritis and transient synovitis occur at any age and are not covered.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Paediatric orthopaedics mnemonic?

Baby DDH, Child Perthes, Teen SCFE. It helps you recall: Hip problems of children by age.

What does "Baby DDH" stand for?

Developmental dysplasia: newborn and infant

What does "Child Perthes" stand for?

Perthes disease: about 4 to 8 years

What does "Teen SCFE" stand for?

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis: obese adolescents

What are all the parts of the Baby DDH, Child Perthes, Teen SCFE mnemonic?

Baby DDH: Developmental dysplasia: newborn and infant; Child Perthes: Perthes disease: about 4 to 8 years; Teen SCFE: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis: obese adolescents.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Paediatric orthopaedics in Orthopaedics.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Septic arthritis and transient synovitis occur at any age and are not covered.

How is this useful clinically?

A child with a limp or knee pain should have the hip examined, matched to age.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a Orthopaedics question about Paediatric orthopaedics.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.