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Relevant factors influencing flatfoot in preschool-aged children

Kun-Chung Chen1, Chih-Jung Yeh, Li-Chen Tung

  • 1Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, 402, Taiwan.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|December 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Flatfoot prevalence decreases with age in young children. Bilateral flatfoot risk is linked to age, obesity, gender, joint laxity, and W-sitting, while unilateral flatfoot has different risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Biomechanical Analysis
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Flatfoot is a common condition in preschool-aged children, with varying risk factors.
  • Understanding the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on flatfoot development is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between age, gender, obesity, joint laxity, and W-sitting habit with flatfoot in preschool children.
  • To differentiate risk factors for unilateral versus bilateral flatfoot.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 1,598 preschool children (3-6 years old) in Taiwan.
  • Children were categorized into normal, unilateral flatfoot, and bilateral flatfoot groups.
  • Multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to identify influencing factors.

Main Results:

  • Flatfoot prevalence significantly decreased with age; bilateral flatfoot was 54.5% in 3-year-olds versus 21% in 6-year-olds.
  • Bilateral flatfoot risk increased with obesity and was higher in boys, decreasing with age.
  • Higher joint laxity and W-sitting habit were associated with increased risk in both flatfoot groups; age and obesity were not significant for unilateral flatfoot.

Conclusions:

  • Age, gender, obesity, joint laxity, and W-sitting are significantly associated with bilateral flatfoot in preschool children.
  • Unilateral flatfoot presents different risk profiles compared to normal feet and bilateral flatfoot, warranting further investigation.

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