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Are incidence and severity of clubfoot related to the season of birth?

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Abstract

Background

This study was designed to determine whether the occurrence of clubfoot follows a seasonal pattern in neonates from eastern and south-eastern China and to speculate the potential etiology of clubfoot.

Methods

We reviewed 239 neonates with clubfeet during a period of 4 years as well as the monthly neonatal population of the Sixth National Population Census. Seasonal variations in terms of month of birth and severity were analyzed.

Results

The incidence of clubfoot in neonates from eastern and south-eastern China showed seasonal variations, and the incidence was higher in autumn with a reference to the average birth rate in this corresponding area. No significant difference was found in severity of clubfoot.

Conclusions

This seasonal pattern is of significant value to further understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of clubfoot in the corresponding area of China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China

    Da-Hang Zhao, Li Zhao, Xuan Yang, Jian-Lin Liu & Zhen-Kai Wu

  2. Department of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai, China

    Wei-Wei Rao

  3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China

    Qing Du & Xiao-Yan Yang

Authors
  1. Da-Hang Zhao
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  2. Wei-Wei Rao
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  3. Li Zhao
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  4. Xuan Yang
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  5. Jian-Lin Liu
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  6. Zhen-Kai Wu
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  7. Qing Du
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  8. Xiao-Yan Yang
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Correspondence to Li Zhao.

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Zhao, DH., Rao, WW., Zhao, L. et al. Are incidence and severity of clubfoot related to the season of birth?. World J Pediatr 12, 360–363 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-016-0029-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-016-0029-7

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