Objective: To investigate the natural history and outcome of fetal talipes diagnosed by routine ultrasound scanning at 18-23 weeks' gestation.
Patients and methods: This was a retrospective study of 103 228 pregnancies undergoing routine ultrasound scanning at 18-23 weeks' gestation. A computer search was made to identify all cases of fetal talipes and the records of these patients were examined to determine the incidence of other defects and pregnancy outcome.
Results: The incidence of fetal talipes following routine ultrasound examination was 0.10% (107/103 228) and was bilateral in 64 (59.8%) and unilateral in 43 (40.2%) cases. In 52 (48.6%) cases, talipes was of complex etiology, as it was associated with other defects, while, in 55 (51.4%) cases, it was classified as idiopathic. In 19% of cases, an initial diagnosis of idiopathic talipes was changed to complex, because of the subsequent development of associated features. Perinatal death and long-term neurodevelopmental or musculoskeletal problems were significantly more common when the talipes was complex rather than idiopathic (odds ratio, 150; 95% confidence interval, 34-665). Adverse outcomes were also seen more frequently with bilateral compared to unilateral talipes (odds ratio, 3.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.50-7.90).
Conclusion: The outcome of antenatally detected talipes is mainly dependent on the presence or absence of other defects. A significant proportion of cases, thought to be idiopathic at presentation, will develop associated complex features when reassessed on subsequent scans or postnatally.