Foot Deformity at Time of Delivery in a Premature Infant.

A female infant was born at 35 weeks’ gestation by spontaneous vaginal delivery, following induction of labor for premature rupture of membranes. The pregnancy was otherwise uncomplicated. The newborn required three minutes of positive pressure ventilation, but transitioned well on room air over the next hour and did not require further treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit. At the time of birth, physical examination showed that the newborn’s right foot was grossly externally rotated (Figure 1). There was no crepitus on palpation of the foot, ankle, or leg, and a bilateral hip examination was unremarkable. The newborn spontaneously dorsiflexed and plantar-flexed the foot. The foot could be easily moved into normal alignment with gentle traction but returned when released. Her legs were equal in length. There were no dysmorphic features, no evidence of sacral dimple, and no signs of spina bifida. The remainder of the physical examination, including musculoskeletal and neurologic findings, was normal.