Characteristics of Children with Congenital Talipes Equinovarus in a New Clubfoot Program of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Organized congenital talipes equinovarus deformity service is relatively new in the study centre. Evidence suggests that 80% of infants with congenital clubfoot live in developing countries, and the condition is said to be the commonest congenital musculoskeletal deformity in Nigeria, accounting for 52.8% of all malformations with live births incidence of 3.4/1000.

Aim: The reason for this study was to provide an initial database for congenital clubfoot in the study environment. This work is expected to contribute scientific data, from the perspective of the study environment to the already existing national database on the subject of congenital clubfoot.

Methods: A 6-month observational study of demographic patterns of congenital talipes equinovarus at a Nigerian regional hospital in Akwa Ibom State is presented.

Results: Sixty-seven children met the inclusion criteria. There was a slight preponderance of males over females, at a ratio of 1.6: 1. The mean age of the population was 31.6 ± 23.6 months. The mean age of the mothers and fathers at the conception of the children with clubfoot deformities was 25.6 ± 6.2 years and 32.3 ± 6.7 years respectively. In 45 (67.2%) children, the clubfoot was bilateral and unilateral in 22 (32.8%). Idiopathic clubfoot was the commonest variant at the rate of 70.1%.

Conclusion: Late presentation of clubfoot for treatment was common among the initial population of children with clubfoot seen in this study. Bilateral affectation was the commonest pattern of involvement. A low negative correlation of subjects’ age at presentation was deduced in relation to parents’ age at conception and fathers’ income. The risk of clubfoot was higher among firstborn children and low overall family income was a risk factor. The implication of these findings is for the relevant authorities to support health education initiatives in the communities where the patients and their parents reside.