A cross-sectional study on foot development characteristics of children and adolescents aged 3-18 years in Guangzhou
10.3760/cma.j.cn101070-20240926-00619
- VernacularTitle:广州市3～18岁儿童青少年足发育特征的横断面研究
- Author:
Jiale HE
1
;
Yuxian CHEN
Author Information
1. 中山大学附属第三医院骨科，广州 510630
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Child;
Arch of the foot;
Development;
Flat feet;
Cross-sectional survey
- From:
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics
2025;40(5):357-362
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the foot development of children and adolescents in Guangzhou and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of pediatric flat feet.Methods:Cross-sectional study.The foot health screening data of students from 3 kindergartens, 1 primary school, and 1 middle school in Guangzhou between January 2023 and June 2023 were collected.Foot parameters including foot length, arch index (AI), arch volume (AV), hallux valgus angle, forefoot width, and heel width were measured.Additionally, general information such as gender, age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) was also recorded.The students were divided into groups by gender, left and right sides, and subgroups by age (in years).The changes of foot parameters with age were observed in each group, and percentile line charts were drawn.Furthermore, the correlation among BMI, AI, AV, hallux valgus angle and foot length were analyzed.Results:A total of 2 520 students aged 3-18 years were included according to the inclusion criteria.There were 1 382 males and 1 138 females, with a total of 5 040 feet on both sides.The AI of boys decreased at a constant rate before the ages of 14 years.However, the AI values between the ages of 14 and 18 years showed no statistical difference ( P=0.743), with the mean value of 0.27 (0.25, 0.30).The AI of girls decreased at a constant rate before the ages of 12 years.The AI values between the ages of 12 and 18 years had no statistical difference ( P=0.155), with the mean value of 0.25 (0.23, 0.28).In every age group from 3 to 18 years old, the AI value of girls was smaller by 0.01-0.04 than that of boys (all P<0.05).At the ages of 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 17 years, the AI of the right foot was 0.01 smaller than that of the left foot (all P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in arch type between boys and girls at ages other than 3 and 8 years old (all P<0.05).In some age groups, BMI is positively correlated with AI and AV, foot length is positively correlated with AI, and hallux valgus angle is correlated with AI positively and AV negatively.There was a negative correlation between AI and AV across all age groups. Conclusions:Chinese children and adolescents, represented by Guangzhou, have slower development in foot and a larger AI.The arch is in the development stage before the age of 14 years in boys and 12 years in girls.A proper physical therapy is recommended if the AI value deviates from the normal range during development.
