Improving the detection of Developmental Hip Dysplasia in Infants at University of Liverpool on FindAPhD.com

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Prof Daniel Perry No more applications being accepted Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Liverpool United Kingdom Acoustics Engineering Artificial Intelligence Computer Vision Digital Media Information Systems Medical Statistics Medicine Nursing & Health Paediatric Nursing Software Engineering

About the Project

Description

Developmental Dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a problem of the hip in babies. Babies can be born with a hip that is completely out of the socket (‘dislocated’), or one that wobbles in and out (‘subluxes’). If untreated, DDH is strongly linked to early hip arthritis and the need for a hip replacement in early adulthood.

If identified in the weeks after birth, 90% if babies can be treated with a removable brace, that the child typically wears for 6-8 weeks over their clothes. If identified later, the child often needs invasive surgery to put the hip back in position. There is a national screening programme that aims to identify DDH, through clinical examination and, when needed, ultrasound. Every baby born in England has the details of the screening assessment entered onto a national computer system (called Smart4NIPE). Newly, the system has started to collect details of the clinical examination, ultrasound tests and treatment.

We have a broad programme of research that is seeking to improve the detection and treatment of infant hip dysplasia. This includes the

· development of novel diagnostics devices (i.e. using machine vision and more traditional devices) and

· development of large-scale clinical trials of both treatment and screening interventions to occur within routine care. These will supplement our existing portfolio of digital trials (www.CRAFFTstudy.org, www.SCIENCEstudy.org, www.BigBOSSstudy.org etc).

We are always keen to talk to people who bring passion about what you do and are interested in working with us - from a range of backgrounds including:

· medicine,

· allied health professions,

· computer science,

· statistics

· engineering.

The PhD project should to fit with what we do – to drive our group forward – though we need your ideas and passion to define the project – as everyone is more successful if they do things that they enjoy!

We expect:

We have three core requirements:

· First and above all, you’re kind – life is too short to work with people who aren’t.

· Second, it’s important that you like working in an academic group that does things differently.

· Third, you relish autonomy, bring ideas and passion for your research and are prepared for large amounts of responsibility and honest feedback.

The rules are you also need a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject (i.e. statistics, law) and/or a Degree in Medicine/ Dentisty.

Our offer: You will join a vibrant Paediatric Orthopaedic Research team in the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Liverpool run by Professor Daniel Perry (primary supervisor). This PhD project provides exceptional opportunities for the student to benefit from diverse expertise and to be exposed to research that will bring real benefit to children and young people and their families.

How to apply: Please send the following documents as a single PDF file to [Email Address Removed] 1. Cover letter 2. CV 3.details of 3 references.

Funding Notes

We have one position is funded by NIHR for the 3-year duration. The successful candidate will be affiliated to the University of Liverpool. The successful applicant will be awarded a non-taxable & national insurance free annual stipend of £19,500/annum plus payment of university tuition and bench fees. Alternatively, for clinical applicants, a post may be funded at CT2 level.
Additional posts may also be funded if there are exceptional applicants.
Applications can only be accepted from Home/UK students.

References

1. Sewell MD, Rosendahl K, Eastwood DM. Developmental dysplasia of the hip. BMJ. 2009 Nov 24;339:b4454.
2. Furnes O, Lie SA, Espehaug B, Vollset SE, Engesaeter LB, Havelin LI. Hip disease and the prognosis of total hip replacements. A review of 53,698 primary total hip replacements reported to the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register 1987-99. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2001 May;83(4):579–86.
3. Dunn PM, Evans RE, Thearle MJ, Griffiths HE, Witherow PJ. Congenital dislocation of the hip: early and late diagnosis and management compared. Arch Dis Child. 1985 May;60(5):407–14.
4. Splinting for dislocated and shallow hips in babies [Internet]. [cited 2022 Nov 17]. Available from: https://www.cochrane.org/CD012717/BEHAV_splinting-dislocated-and-shallow-hips-babies
5. Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Screening Programme Standards 2016/17 [Internet]. Public Health England; 2016 Apr. Available from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/692020/NIPE_Programme_Standards_2016_to_2017.pdf

Where will I study?

University of Liverpool

We are curious problem solvers at the forefront of world-leading research. A hotbed of discovery and innovation, we're committed to addressing some of the toughest challenges in our society, both now and in the future. Join us in the search for answers by pursuing your PhD at the Original Redbrick.