New born children have some deformities by birth. Some of them are - Clubfoot (the most common orthopaedic birth defect) Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH): Dislocated hip. Metatarsus adductus (curved foot or intoeing involving the feet) Spine deformities including scoliosis (side curvature or twisting) and kyphosis (bowing)

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What causes birth deformities ?

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Orthopaedic birth defects happen when bone and muscle tissue develops abnormally in babies during fetal development. According to the March of Dimes, the causes for about 60% of birth defects are unknown. Some common risk factors may include:

• Abnormal genes inherited from a parent

• Missing or abnormal genes caused by a chromosome disorder

• Toxins including alcohol, cigarette smoke, illicit drugs, certain medications, radiation and certain chemicals

• Severe maternal infections during pregnancy, including rubella (German measles), chicken pox, and cytomegalovirus (CMV)

• Preexisting maternal conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease and high blood pressure

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Types of birth deformities 

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Many types of birth defects result from development problems in babies. They vary from mild to life-threatening, and the most common types include:

• Clubfoot (the most common orthopaedic birth defect)

• Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH): Dislocated hip

• Metatarsus adductus (curved foot or intoeing involving the feet)

• Spine deformities including scoliosis (side curvature or twisting) and kyphosis (bowing)

• Osteogenesis imperfecta: Brittle-bone disease

• Muscular dystrophy: Diseases affecting the skeletal muscles

• Limb defects: Arms or legs that don’t develop normally or are missing

• Bone infections

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Symptoms of birth deformities 

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Often, babies and children with orthopaedic birth defects may not show symptoms. Signs and symptoms to look for include:

• Visible problems with a baby’s legs, feet, arms or hands

• Spine twisting, curvature or bowing

• Bones that break easily

• Reduced movement in infants or difficulty walking in children

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Treatment of birth deformities 

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Our health care team will carefully examine your child to decide on the right treatment for the condition:

• Braces, splints or casts to properly align bones and joints

• Physical therapy to improve strength and range of motion

• Occupational therapy to help build skills such as eating, getting dressed and walking

• Surgery to adjust bones, muscles and tendons in severe conditions