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Gross motor development in babies with treated idiopathic clubfoot
Nancy L Garcia1, Mark L McMulkin, Bryan J Tompkins
1Shriners Hospitals for Children, Spokane, Washington 99204, USA. ngarcia@shrinenet.org
Insights
Treated clubfoot in infants may lead to mild delays in gross motor skills, particularly in walking, by 9 to 12 months of age. Early intervention is key for development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Idiopathic clubfoot is a common congenital foot deformity.
- Early treatment of clubfoot is crucial for optimal outcomes.
- Gross motor skill development is a key indicator of infant development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of treated idiopathic clubfoot on gross motor skill acquisition.
- To compare motor skill development in infants with treated clubfoot versus typically developing infants.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 52 infants was studied, including 26 with treated idiopathic clubfoot and 26 typically developing controls.
- Clubfoot treatments included the Ponseti method, French physical therapy, or a combination.
- Gross motor skills were assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 3-month intervals.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in AIMS scores were observed at 3 and 6 months between groups.
- Infants with treated clubfoot demonstrated significantly lower AIMS scores at 9 and 12 months.
- Typically developing infants were more likely to achieve walking by 12 months compared to those with clubfoot.
Conclusions:
- Treated idiopathic clubfoot is associated with a mild delay in gross motor skill attainment.
- These delays become apparent around 9 to 12 months of age.
- Further research may explore long-term motor outcomes and the efficacy of specific interventions.
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of treated clubfoot disorder on gross motor skill level measured by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS).
Methods:
Fifty-two babies participated: 26 were treated for idiopathic clubfoot (12 with the Ponseti treatment method, 9 with the French physical therapy technique, and 5 with a combination of both methods); 26 were babies who were typically developing and without medical diagnoses. The AIMS was administered at 3-month intervals.
Results:
No significant differences in AIMS scores were found between the clubfoot and control groups at 3 and 6 months, but at 9 and 12 months the clubfoot group scored significantly lower. Babies who were typically developing were significantly more likely to be walking at 12 months than babies with clubfoot.
Conclusions:
Treated clubfoot was associated with a mild delay in attainment of gross motor skills at 9 and 12 months of age.
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