BIRTH INCIDENCE OF TALIPES EQUINOVARUS (CLUBFOOT) DEFORMITY IN DUHOK GOVERNORATE, IRAQ

MUHSIN SHUKRI KARAM; JAGAR OMAR AHMED

MUHSIN SHUKRI KARAM Orthopedic department, Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Iraq.
JAGAR OMAR AHMED College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq.

Keywords: Talipes Equinovarus, Clubfoot, Duhok, Iraq, Incidence, Newborns

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.31386/dmj.2026.20.2.10

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: Talipes equinovarus (TEV) clubfoot deformity is the most common pediatric foot abnormality. Its prevalence varies across different countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of this deformity among newborn babies in Duhok Governorate/Iraq.

Methods: During the period from August 2024 to July 2025 (one year), all the children born with TEV clubfoot deformity in maternal hospitals of Duhok Governorate were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. The prevalence rate was calculated by dividing the number of clubfoot cases by the total newborn babies in the governorate and multiplying by 1000.

Results: Thirty-two cases of TEV clubfoot deformity were observed among 26,582 live birth newborns in Duhok Governorate, with a prevalence rate of 1.2 cases per 1000 newborns. Nineteen of them were male and 13 were female, with a ratio of 1.5 to 1. Most of them (84.4%) were in Duhok district, but the highest rate was in Semel district (46.5 per 1000 livebirths).

Conclusions: The prevalence rate of TEV clubfoot deformity in Duhok Governorate of Iraq was 1.2 cases per 1000 live births.

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References

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