Metatarsus adductus
Disease Information
In-Depth
What causes metatarsus adductus?
The cause of metatarsus adductus remains unknown. However, several factors may put your child at greater risk, including
- family history of metatarsus adductus
- position of the baby in the uterus, especially with breech presentations
- insufficient amniotic fluid when the child is in the uterus
- sleeping position of the baby (babies sleeping on their stomach may increase the tendency of the feet to turn inward).
Does metatarsus adductus cause any other complications?
Babies with metatarsus adductus may be at an increased risk for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a condition of the hip joint in which the top of the thigh (femur) slips in and out of its socket, because the socket is too shallow to keep the joint intact. DDH can cause differences in leg length, or cause your child to walk with a limp.
