Pattern of congenital musculoskeletal anomalies in a suburban Nigerian tertiary hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Available data in congenital musculoskeletal anomalies (MSAs) in Africa are sparse; hence, we decided to evaluate the pattern of congenital MSA as seen in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Irrua, Edo state of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The clinical records of patients who presented to ISTH with congenital MSA over 10 years (January 2005–December 2014) were extracted and reviewed. Demographic data, diagnosis, description of abnormalities, associated congenital deformities, side of the body involved, and bilaterality were noted. Results: Seventy-five patients met the criteria. Fifty patients were male and 25 were female. Male: female ratio was 2:1. Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) deformity was the most common MSA in 46 (61.33%) patients. Others were syndactyly in 20 (26.7%) patients and congenital constriction band syndrome in 4 (5.3%) patients. Among patients with clubfoot were a predominance of bilaterality involved with 44.7% in the idiopathic group and 62.5% of those in the nonidiopathic group. The idiopathic variety constituted 82.5% of clubfoot deformity. Spina bifida cystica was the most common associated deformity among patients with nonidiopathic clubfoot. Conclusion: CTEV was the most common congenital MSA seen in ISTH, Irrua, with a high incidence of bilaterality. Spina bifida cystica was the most associated anomaly in the nonidiopathic clubfoot in this center.