Premature babies at higher risk of hip problems A Melbourne study has linked premature birth with hip osteoarthritis in later life. BABIES born premature or with a low weight are at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis in their hips later in life. New Melbourne research could lead to monitoring as they age, or a change in the advice given to their parents. According to the paper, published in the journal of the American College of Rheumatology, people who were born too early or too small are more likely to require more hip replacements than those who went full-term. Professor Flavia Cicuttini, from Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said it was important to understand the risk factors because there was no treatment to stop the progression of osteoarthritis. Researchers looked at the number of joint replacements due to osteoarthritis among 3604 people aged 40 or older. They found that low birth weight and prematurity was linked to hip osteoarthritis. Prof Cicuttini, who is also head of rheumatology at The Alfred hospital, said the reason could be related to subtle developmental abnormalities that may be risk factors. "We know that in babies that are born preterm the formation of their hip joint is incomplete and there is evidence that some of the ligaments that hold the joint together are looser and the bones are not as well developed," she said. It may mean that we recommend changes to the way premature babies are cared for from an earlier stage. Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 1.6 million Australians. An estimated 40,000 hip and 50,000 knee replacements are done each year. Originally published as Premmie babies at risk of hip problems