Is Club Feet Genetic?

Clubfoot, or clubfeet, can be inherited but researchers believe that other factors, including environmental influences, also come into play and may have an adverse effect on a fetus, resulting in this condition.

Genetics

• In all likelihood, if your infant is born with clubfeet, or a clubfoot, it is because of genetics, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (See References 1.) Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. If one parent had a clubfoot when born, that doubles his or her chances of producing a baby that has the same condition.

Male Babies

• Out of every 1,000 births, a case of clubfoot is likely to surface. More male babies are afflicted than female infants. Both feet can be affected, or just one.

Genetic Versus Environmental

• Researchers continue in their quest to find a definitive reason for the formation of a clubfoot. Although the condition is believed to be genetic, it is also thought that environmental factors, such as toxic exposures from outside influences, as well as cigarette smoking by the mother, may be factors, according to Marchofdimes.com (See References 2.)
  The March of Dimes points out that a study of women who had a history of familial clubfoot found that if these women smoked while pregnant they had a twenty-fold increase in the risk of producing an infant with a clubfoot. The condition is evident by the second trimester of pregnancy.

Folic Acid

• Geneticist Zosia Miedzybrodska and epidemiologist Linda Sharp (See References 3) conducted a study on clubfeet. The results showed, for the first time, that variations in the gene that processes folate (a form of a B vitamin) may be part of the reason that some infants have clubfeet. More research needs to be done to determine, and establish, how much folic acid supplementation is best for a pregnant woman who has blood relatives (genetic link) that have clubfoot in order to prevent this condition from arising in her children.

Malpositioning Theory

• The March of Dimes notes that doctors used to think that clubfoot was the result of a baby's foot, or feet, being cramped or twisted while in the womb. While this is true in some cases of foot abnormality, including metatarsus adductus and calcaneovalgus, they usually resolve themselves after birth. When a child has metatarsus adductus, the front part of the child's foot turns inward, making the child walk with a toe-in gait. In a case of calcaneovalgus, the foot bends sharply at the ankle. Consequently, the foot points outward and upward. Sometimes, the top of the foot can actually touch the shinbone.

Take Action

• If you are aware that clubfoot runs in your family, discuss this with your physician before becoming pregnant. Don't smoke. Take your folic acid and follow any additional recommendations that your physician provides in an effort to avoid this affliction. Additionally, do your own research.