Foot deformities at birth: a longitudinal prospective study over a 16-year period.

In a prospective study of 2,401 newborns, the incidence of foot deformities was 4%, of which three fourths were various forms of adductus anomalies. At age 16 years, the children with a foot deformity and a random sample of those with normal feet as newborns were examined by dynamic foot pressure (EMED) and gait analysis (Vifor). The natural course of all congenital foot deformities, except clubfoot, was favorable. The importance of monitoring the children during the entire growth period is shown by the fact that at age 6 years, 87%, and at 16 years, 95% of the adductus deformities had resolved.