What it means
With the baby on the back and the hips and knees bent, the examiner brings one thigh toward the middle (adduction) and pushes gently back. In a positive test, the head of the thigh bone slides out over the edge of the socket, showing an unstable hip. It screens for developmental dysplasia of the hip, together with the Ortolani maneuveror-toe-LAH-nee muh-NOO-verA newborn hip exam in which the examiner gently spreads the bent hips apart to feel whether a dislocated hip slips back into its socket.Full entry . It is named after Thomas Barlow, a British orthopedic surgeon.
For the nurse
Report a positive finding, uneven thigh or buttock folds, or a shorter-looking leg. Treatment, such as a Pavlik harness, works best when started early.
Remember it
Barlow = Back and out: the hip slips out of the socket.
At a glance
| Also written | Barlow sign, Barlow test, Barlow's maneuver |
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Easy to confuse with
Ortolani maneuver
A newborn hip exam in which the examiner gently spreads the bent hips apart to feel whether a dislocated hip slips back into its socket.
Related terms
Ortolani maneuver
A newborn hip exam in which the examiner gently spreads the bent hips apart to feel whether a dislocated hip slips back into its socket.
Allis sign
With an infant lying on the back, hips and knees bent and feet flat, one knee sits lower than the other.