Relationships Between Seasonal Variation and Idiopathic Congenital Talipes Equinovarus in Northwest China

摘要

Background:The purpose of this study was to determine whether the occurrence of neonatal idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus(ICTEV)in Northwest China followed a seasonal pattern and to speculate the potential etiology of ICTEV.Methods:We collected data from 221 children with ICTEV who were born in Northwest China to investigate seasonal variations.We also analyzed seasonal variations in the month of birth and severity.Results:Among male infants with ICTEV,the constituent ratio of children born in May and October was statistically different from that of normal children(OR=1.674,95%CI,1.003-2.795,P=0.049;OR=0.041,95%CI,0.450-0.968,P=0.041).The months distribution of unilateral and bilateral limb was different(P=0.025).The constituent ratio of bilateral limb in March was higher than that in the other months(P=0.003).Conclusions:This study does not support an in-utero enterovirus infection as the etiology of ICTEV.However,the current research provides strong evidence in support of an unidentified environmental factor influencing the occurrence of ICTEV in the Northwest Chinese population.