Risk factors

Boys are about twice as likely to develop clubfoot than girls are.

Risk factors include:

• Family history. If either of the parents or their other children have had clubfoot, the baby is more likely to have it as well.
• Congenital conditions. In some cases, clubfoot can be associated with other abnormalities of the skeleton that are present at birth (congenital), such as spina bifida, a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't develop or close properly.
• Environment. Smoking during pregnancy can significantly increase the baby's risk of clubfoot.
• Not enough amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Too little of the fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb may increase the risk of clubfoot.