Dr. Deepa Mhetre

Often children are born with bowing of legs, due to folded leg position in utero.

Once they start putting pressure on them while walking, they may straighten out. This happens generally by 2 to 3 years of age.

If not corrected then they may cause some serious problems:
*shortening of 1 leg
*deformity
*difficulty walking running
*higher risk of arthritis.

Persistent bowing may be due some deficiency:
**rickets
*Blount's disease
*lead or fluoride poisoning
*others

First few tests:
25 (oh) vitamin d3 level in serum
Serum free calcium level
X-ray of legs.

How will your pediatrician monitor for a change?

Measurements of distance between knees while a child is lying on the back.

This is monitored to see for any worsening

What can be done?

*treat rickets.
*any other underlying problem to be ruled out.
*braces orthopedic devices to keep the leg in straightened position (serious cases)
**surgery after 3 years (determined according to individual case basis)

All problems may not be solved but timely intervention can change the life of a child forever.
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