Background: One proposed etiology of idiopathic talipes equinovarus
is an in utero enterovirus infection. Enterovirus infections demonstrate
seasonal variation in temperate climates.
Methods: We collected data on 1202 children with idiopathic talipes
equinovarus born in the Northeastern United States, Midwestern United States,
and the United Kingdom to investigate a seasonal variation in this congenital
deformity. Birth date, gestational age at the time of delivery, gender, race,
and laterality were tabulated and subjected to univariate and bivariate
analyses.
Results: There were 774 boys and 428 girls with idiopathic talipes
equinovarus. The birth location was the United Kingdom (458 children), the
Midwestern United States (426 children), and the Northeastern United States
(318 children). No significant differences were detected among the geographic
groups with respect to gender, race, or laterality, and no variation in month
of birth or month of conception was noted.
Conclusions: This study does not support an in utero enterovirus
infection as an etiology of idiopathic talipes equinovarus in industrialized
populations.