50,000 children are born with clubfoot in India, but still lacks awareness
The Ponseti method is a breakthrough in the treatment of clubfoot and has 95% success rate
12th June 2018, Mumbai: Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children at Parel in Mumbai in association with Cure International recently celebrated club foot day with their patients by organizing the magic show and other fun activities. The main aim was to create awareness about clubfoot.
With an overall incidence of 1 in 1000 births, it is estimated that over 2,00,000 children are born with clubfoot worldwide. Over 50,000 children are born with clubfoot in India and over 3700 children are born with clubfoot in Maharashtra alone every year.
Neglected clubfoot can lead to a lifestyle of disability. Surgical treatments of clubfoot although possible and still widely practiced, is fraught with complications and problem. The Ponseti method is a breakthrough in the treatment of clubfoot and when performed correctly, can yield successful results in over 95 per cent cases of clubfeet treated at birth.
Age wise distribution is as follows:
Age Group | Patients |
0-1 | 820 |
1-2 | 151 |
2-5 | 97 |
5-10 | 28 |
Above 10 | 6 |
Total | 1102 |
Dr. Rujuta Mehta HOD Paediatric orthopedics BJ Wadia Hospital, said, “Clubfoot is a congenital deformity (present at birth) of multi-factorial origin. The exact causative mechanism is still unknown and hence it cannot be prevented. Lack of awareness regarding the need for early intervention is one of the principal reasons for late presentation and neglect in our country.”
Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala CEO, Wadia Hospitals said, “Designated clubfoot clinic started in 2011 under the partnership between Bai Jerbai Wadia hospital for children, Mumbai and CURE International India Trust. In the last 7 years, 1102 children born with clubfoot enrolled for quality treatment in this clinic and would like cure more kids with such ailment in future”.