[Results of podoscope screening in 948 non-selected children, with special reference to cavus foot].

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the prevalence of cavus foot in a non-selected pediatric population, the percentage of secondary forms and to establish criteria for remission to the specialist.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A randomized study of 948 healthy children older than four years, in which the sole footprint was studied through podoscope, was performed.

RESULTS

Cavus foot of different grades was present in 16.3% of the children studied, with a statistically significant difference in favor of girls. There were family antecedents in 60%. Symptoms and/or exploratory abnormal signs were presented in 19.3%, mainly pain, limp and sole dermatitis. Of the diagnoses made, 7.7% were referred to the specialist, with the diagnosis confirmed in 75% and treatment implemented in 50%. There were no cases of secondary cavus foot.

CONCLUSIONS

Cavus foot is very frequent in healthy children, has a familiar character and only exceptionally obeys the rules of a neuromuscular cause. We propose four criteria for the selection of patients for referral to the specialist.