The global birth prevalence of clubfoot: a systematic review and meta-analysisResearch in context

Summary: Background: Estimates of the birth prevalence of clubfoot in low and middle income settings range from 0.5 to 2 per 1000 births. However, there is currently no estimate of global birth prevalence of clubfoot. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the birth prevalen...

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Main Authors: Tracey Smythe, Sara Rotenberg, Chris Lavy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-09-01
Series:EClinicalMedicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537023003553
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author Tracey Smythe
Sara Rotenberg
Chris Lavy
author_facet Tracey Smythe
Sara Rotenberg
Chris Lavy
author_sort Tracey Smythe
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Background: Estimates of the birth prevalence of clubfoot in low and middle income settings range from 0.5 to 2 per 1000 births. However, there is currently no estimate of global birth prevalence of clubfoot. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the birth prevalence of clubfoot across all countries and regions worldwide in the last 10 years. Africa Wide Information, EMBASE, CINAHL, Global Health, LILACS and Medline databases were searched for relevant studies from January 1st 2012 to February 9th 2023. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated using the inverse variance method, and a random effects model was applied to account for heterogeneity between studies. Quality appraisal was performed using a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for Cohort studies. This review was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42023398410. Findings: The search generated 757 studies. Thirty-five studies from 36 countries and five WHO regions were included. The pooled prevalence of clubfoot was 1.18 per 1000 births (95% CI: 1.00–1.36) based on data from 44,818,965 births. The highest prevalence rates were observed in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in the South-East Asia Region (1.80, 95% CI: 1.32–2.28) and the Africa Region (1.31, 95% CI: 0.86–1.77). We estimate that 176,476 (95% CI: 126,126–227,010) children will be born with clubfoot globally each year. Interpretation: This study provides a comprehensive estimate of the global prevalence of clubfoot and highlights the significant burden of this condition, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The findings underscore the need for improving access to effective treatment and prevention strategies in resource-limited settings. Funding: SR received funds from the Global Clubfoot Initiative and the Rhodes Trust.
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spelling doaj.art-de8c9660f3224c2c83228d48f7680aa02023-09-01T05:02:59ZengElsevierEClinicalMedicine2589-53702023-09-0163102178The global birth prevalence of clubfoot: a systematic review and meta-analysisResearch in contextTracey Smythe0Sara Rotenberg1Chris Lavy2International Centre for Evidence in Disability, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, UK; Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa; Corresponding author. LSHTM, WC1E 7HT, UK.Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, OX2 6GG, UKNuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Reumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences University of Oxford, OX2 6GG, UKSummary: Background: Estimates of the birth prevalence of clubfoot in low and middle income settings range from 0.5 to 2 per 1000 births. However, there is currently no estimate of global birth prevalence of clubfoot. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the birth prevalence of clubfoot across all countries and regions worldwide in the last 10 years. Africa Wide Information, EMBASE, CINAHL, Global Health, LILACS and Medline databases were searched for relevant studies from January 1st 2012 to February 9th 2023. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated using the inverse variance method, and a random effects model was applied to account for heterogeneity between studies. Quality appraisal was performed using a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for Cohort studies. This review was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42023398410. Findings: The search generated 757 studies. Thirty-five studies from 36 countries and five WHO regions were included. The pooled prevalence of clubfoot was 1.18 per 1000 births (95% CI: 1.00–1.36) based on data from 44,818,965 births. The highest prevalence rates were observed in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in the South-East Asia Region (1.80, 95% CI: 1.32–2.28) and the Africa Region (1.31, 95% CI: 0.86–1.77). We estimate that 176,476 (95% CI: 126,126–227,010) children will be born with clubfoot globally each year. Interpretation: This study provides a comprehensive estimate of the global prevalence of clubfoot and highlights the significant burden of this condition, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The findings underscore the need for improving access to effective treatment and prevention strategies in resource-limited settings. Funding: SR received funds from the Global Clubfoot Initiative and the Rhodes Trust.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537023003553ClubfootCongenital talipes equinovarusBirth defectsCongenital anomaliesBirth prevalenceGlobal
spellingShingle Tracey Smythe
Sara Rotenberg
Chris Lavy
The global birth prevalence of clubfoot: a systematic review and meta-analysisResearch in context
EClinicalMedicine
Clubfoot
Congenital talipes equinovarus
Birth defects
Congenital anomalies
Birth prevalence
Global
title The global birth prevalence of clubfoot: a systematic review and meta-analysisResearch in context
title_full The global birth prevalence of clubfoot: a systematic review and meta-analysisResearch in context
title_fullStr The global birth prevalence of clubfoot: a systematic review and meta-analysisResearch in context
title_full_unstemmed The global birth prevalence of clubfoot: a systematic review and meta-analysisResearch in context
title_short The global birth prevalence of clubfoot: a systematic review and meta-analysisResearch in context
title_sort global birth prevalence of clubfoot a systematic review and meta analysisresearch in context
topic Clubfoot
Congenital talipes equinovarus
Birth defects
Congenital anomalies
Birth prevalence
Global
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537023003553
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